People formed a line for at least 800 meters outside a Moscow church. Funeral of Alexei Navalny It was held on Friday to bid farewell to Russia's most prominent opposition figure. Navalny is one of President Vladimir Putin's most vocal critics. passed away 2 weeks ago He is being held in a remote prison in Russia, where his family and allies accuse Russian leaders of murdering him.
A large police presence was deployed and a fence was erected by Russian authorities around the church. Nevertheless, the crowd shouted the names of opposition leaders and slogans such as “Don't give up!” “Russia without Putin!” and “Russia will be free!”
Reuters/Handout/Alexey Navalny
U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynn Tracy was inside the church for the service.
As the funeral began, footage of what appeared to be Navalny's open casket was broadcast by allies. Images show Navalny's body covered in roses and surrounded by mourners. The church service quickly concluded and the coffin was taken to the Borisov Cemetery, about 2.4 miles away, where friends and family kissed him goodbye before the coffin was closed and the coffin was opened to the tune of Borisov's song “My Way.” was lowered to the ground. Frank Sinatra.
Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, posted a tribute to her husband on social media, writing: “Love, for always supporting me, for making me laugh even from prison, for always thinking of me. I don't believe it,” he said gratefully. I don't know how to live without you, but I'm going to try to make you happy for me and proud of me,'' she said. “I don't know if I can handle it, but I'll try.”
Navalny, 47, died on February 16 in an Arctic penal colony. Prison authorities said he died of natural causes. His family fought for more than a week to have his body returned.it was was finally handed over Saturday to his mother. Navalny's family and supporters said they had difficulty planning the funeral because Russian authorities did not encourage funeral parlors, public halls and hearse drivers to cooperate.
The Kremlin on Friday warned the public against unauthorized gatherings in support of Navalny.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “We would like to remind you that we have laws that we must abide by. Unauthorized gatherings violate the law and those who take part in them will be held accountable. This is also in line with current law.” he told reporters.
Who is Alexei Navalny?
Navalny, who survived at least two poisonous assassination attempts, including one with the nerve agent Novichok in 2020, was one of Putin's most outspoken critics before being imprisoned in 2021.
When Navalny returned to Russia after being treated for Novichok poisoning in Germany, he was initially sentenced to nine years in a maximum-security prison for violating parole, fraud and contempt of court, but was later found guilty of “extremism.” He was found guilty of aiding.his sentence was extended In August 2023, when he turned 19, he was transferred to another high-security facility. Prisons known for abuse The incident, known as the “conveyor belt of torture”, raised further concerns for his safety.
“Without public protection, Alexei will face the people who have already tried to kill him, and there will be nothing to stop them from committing the crime again,” Alexei's spokesperson said after the court decision. Mr. Yarmis said. “We are now talking not only about Alexei's freedom, but also about his life.”
Navalny and many outside observers had always viewed the charges against him as baseless political retaliation for criticism of Putin and the Kremlin's policies at home and abroad. The US State Department also deemed his prosecution and imprisonment “politically motivated.”
Anhelina Shamlii contributed to this report.
