01 March 2024 at 13:26
The coffin containing the body of opposition leader Alexei Navalny arrived at the Borisovsky cemetery in Moscow on Friday afternoon. This was reported by an ally of the deceased opposition leader. Earlier in the day there was a funeral ceremony in a church.
Hundreds of sympathizers had already gathered at the house of worship on Friday morning. Some onlookers shouted Navalny’s name as the coffin arrived. Press agency AFP reports that thousands of people came to church. The crowd also included the ambassadors of Germany and France.
The atmosphere around the funeral was tense. The police were present en masse and passers-by were subject to checks. The area was patrolled by officers wearing helmets and carrying tear gas grenades, a journalist saw.
Of BBC reports that spectators threw flowers as the coffin was brought out after the ceremony. People shouted “executioners”, “Russia will be free” and “no war”.
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Navalny supporters are also planning farewells elsewhere
The 47-year-old Navalny was an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin. He refused to say his name publicly and has also not responded to the death of the opposition leader in a penal colony.
The funeral started at 12 noon Dutch time. Navalny’s body left the church about 50 minutes later and is being taken to a cemetery in the area.
For a while it seemed that the church service and funeral would be delayed. The transfer of Navalny’s body to his family at the morgue took more time than anticipated.
Allies of the late opposition leader say Russians who cannot attend the funeral can also say goodbye by gathering in other places at 7 p.m.
A Kremlin spokesman pointed out that it is illegal to organize public rallies for Navalny without government permission.
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Navalny’s coffin arrives at church in Moscow
The church where the farewell service takes place and the cemetery where Alexei Navalny is buried. Photo: Reuters
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RussiaVladimir PutinAlexei NavalnyForeign
2024-03-01 12:26:00
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