Why did Elon Musk suspend deceased Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny wife’s X account?
Yulia Navalnaya saw her X account suspended today just days after the death of her husband in Russian custody. What prompted Musk’s action?
After a short suspension, Yulia Navalnaya had her X account reinstated days after the death of her husband, Alexei Navalny, who perished while in prison in Russia. Navalny was seen as one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s greatest political rivals, and after his death was announced, the Kremlin cracked down on protestors mobilizing in the streets to show solidarity with the deceased dissident.
Targetting Navalnaya’s account
Shortly after the suspension was noticed, thousands of users began posting to Elon Musk to reinstate Navalnaya’s account. The X CEO has not made a public statement as to why Navalnaya’s account was targeted, but based on the response for users on the platform he will likely be asked.
While her account has been reinstated, only three posts are shown on the profile, meaning that while she got her account back, much of the content has been erased. One of the last tweets sent before the temporary suspension was a direct message to the Russian government, which has refused to hand over the body of her late husband. “I don’t care how the killer’s press secretary comments on my words. Give back Alexei’s body and let him be buried with dignity; don’t stop people from saying goodbye to him,” she posted.