Russian Authorities Return Body of Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny to His Mother
Weeklong Struggle for Recovery Comes to an End
RIGA, Latvia — The body of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been handed over to his mother by Russian authorities, ending her weeklong struggle to recover it, according to reports from his political team.
Influential Pleas from Celebrities, Artists, Activists, and Journalists
Over the past few days, numerous Russian celebrities, artists, activists, and journalists had made video appeals to President Vladimir Putin, urging him to release Navalny’s body to his family. Furthermore, a petition organized by the legal rights group OVD-Info garnered the support of more than 98,000 Russians.
Navalny’s Daughter Joins the Campaign
Dasha Navalnaya, Navalny’s 23-year-old daughter, also joined the campaign, taking to social media to request the release of her father’s body to her grandmother.
Funeral Arrangements and Uncertainties
The funeral arrangements and burial of Navalny remain uncertain, as authorities have not indicated whether they will interfere. Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, expressed her wish for a public farewell service in Moscow, following the tradition in Russia. She also desires for his burial to take place at the Troyekurovskoye cemetery, alongside other prominent Russians and opposition figures.
Pressures for a Private Funeral
Russia’s Investigative Committee has been pressuring Navalnaya to agree to a small private funeral, insisting that only family members should be present. Navalny’s press secretary, Kira Yarmysh, announced the breakthrough but emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the authorities’ stance in an official statement.
A Political Prisoner and His Impact
Alexei Navalny, 47, stood as Putin’s most formidable rival and one of Russia’s most prominent political prisoners. His imprisonment stemmed from his campaign advocating for a free and democratic Russia. On February 16, he died in the “Polar Wolf” prison located in the Yamalo-Nenets region of the Arctic Circle.
Vocal Accusations and Controversies Surrounding the Body
Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, publicly accused Putin of her husband’s murder and denounced the delayed release of his body, suggesting a cover-up. Although the death certificate listed the cause of death as “natural causes,” Navalny’s own Anti-Corruption Foundation’s director, Ivan Zhdanov, revealed officials’ threats to bury the body in the remote northern prison colony.
Heartbreaking Battle and Blackmailed Funeral
Navalnaya and her lawyers faced obstacles in their fight to obtain Navalny’s body. At one point, officials denied them access to the morgue and gave false cause of death information. They later showed her the body, without legal representation, and pressured her to agree to a small private funeral. She publicly denounced this blackmail, calling it illegal.
A Persistent Stand
Despite the three-hour ultimatum and threats to bury Navalny without her permission, Lyudmila Navalnaya remained steadfast and did not concede.
Victory Amid Standoff
The decision to release Navalny’s body to his mother marks a rare victory for an individual challenging the Russian authorities. It also highlights the damage caused to the Kremlin’s reputation as the standoff continued.
Yulia Navalnaya’s Accusations
In a somber video message, Yulia Navalnaya, donning black attire, directly criticized Putin’s professed religious beliefs, labelling them a sham. She placed blame on Putin for her husband’s “murder” and for withholding the body for burial. Navalnaya accused officials of torturing her mother-in-law, suggesting that Putin himself was behind the decision to break her spirit.
A Sham Unveiled
Navalnaya exposed Putin’s religious claims, stating that his actions concerning Navalny’s body led to a clear revelation of his fraudulent piety. She concluded that no genuine Christian would engage in such actions.
Sources:
– The Washington Post
– The Washington Post
