Alexey Navalny says he is happy CNN documentary about him won an Oscar

The long-imprisoned Russian opposition leader, Alexey Navalny, commented publicly this week after a CNN documentary about him won an Oscar over the weekend.

The documentary, directed by Daniel Roher, who is also known for directing ‘Once Were Brothers,’ won the Oscar on Sunday evening for best documentary at the awards show in Los Angeles. The win is a first for CNN, and one of many awards for Roher, who also celebrated his first Academy Award.

The film follows an in-depth investigation into Navalny’s life and how he came to be imprisoned in Russia after his activism against the Kremlin. It includes a delve into his near-death experience after being poisoned in 2020 as well as look at his sentencing in reputably harsh Russian prisons.

Navalny Tweeted about the Oscar win on Wednesday, writing, “I am, of course, terribly glad, but while rejoicing, I try not to forget that it wasn’t me who won the Oscar after all.” He went on to thank and congratulate Roher, his own wife Yulia, and others who had a hand in making the documentary.

Navalny was previously only sentenced to 2 and a half years in prison but the Kremlin has since brought additional charges against him that ended in another 9 years.