The design of Alexei Navalny‘s tombstone is expected to be unveiled today as Russia and abroad, events are being held to mark the first anniversary of the death in custody of the fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, organized a competition to design a tombstone in December. Hundreds of ideas were submitted, mostly from Russia but also from foreign countries. Earlier this month, Navalnyaya asked people to vote among the three designs chosen by the family as well as to make donations for the construction of the plaque to be placed on her husband’s grave in Moscow.

Navalny’s widow also invited the world to a memorial service in Berlin. Navalnyaya continues her husband’s work from abroad.

Navalny’s team also plans to commemorate the anniversary with a ceremony that will be broadcast live online, at which friends and colleagues will speak about his work. Gatherings, screenings of the documentary “Navalny” and vigils are also planned.

Navalny died in a penal colony in the Arctic in February 2024 while serving a 19-year sentence on charges he had described as politically motivated. The circumstances of his death have not been clarified.