Leonid Volkov, a close ally of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has vowed to continue his fight against President Vladimir Putin. Volkov was recently attacked outside his home in Lithuania.
"Will never give up" fight against Putin, said Volkov told BBC.
Volkov was brutally attacked with a hammer outside his home, where he lives in exile. The assault was a message revealing that "we know where you live, we can kill you, we are after you," he said.
Three people were arrested in connection with the incident last month. Navalny's allies believe that the attack was ordered by Putin's regime.
Volkov also said that Navalny "asked us to never give up and to continue our work...to defeat and to build this beautiful Russia of the future." It's the only practical way to preserve his legacy and to make his ultimate sacrifice not to be in vain, he added.
Talking about Navalny's death, Volkov said that he was an inspiring personality and a very capable political leader. "His death was an open wound in our hearts," he said.
During the attack, Volkov sprayed tear gas in his eyes before hitting him with the hammer. He was briefly admitted to the hospital as well.
Volkov worked as the late leader's ex-chief of staff and as chair of his Anti-Corruption Foundation until 2023.
Navalny, 47, died in February while being held in an artic prison on charges seen as politically motivated.