Mother of Alexei Navalny Pressured to Hold Secret Funeral, Russian Investigators Blackmail Her
Introduction
The mother of late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, Lyudmila Navalnaya, revealed on Thursday that Russian investigators, who previously allowed her to see her son’s body, are now pressuring her to organize a secret funeral.
Blackmailed to Hold a Secret Funeral
Lyudmila Navalnaya, in a video published on Alexei Navalny’s YouTube channel, shared her experience with investigators, stating that they threatened to do something to her son’s body if she refused to agree to a secret funeral. However, she remains resolute in her decision to not comply with their demands. She expressed her desire for everyone who mourned Alexei and considered his death a personal tragedy to have an opportunity to say their goodbyes in public.
Navalny’s Stance
Navalnaya, firmly against a secret funeral, stated on video that she refuses to succumb to the investigators’ blackmail. She insists on honoring her son’s memory and ensuring that those who cherished Alexei have the chance to bid him a public farewell. The pressure from the investigators only intensified as they informed her that delay in the funeral would lead to decomposition of the body.
The Untimely Death of Navalny
Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, tragically passed away on Friday while imprisoned in an Arctic facility. The charges against him were largely believed to be retribution for his opposition to Putin’s regime, leading to suspicions surrounding his death.
Investigation Delay with Stringent Conditions
Initially, the investigators informed Navalny’s family and legal team that they planned to carry out a two-week “chemical examination” to determine the cause of death. However, the delay appears to be an attempt to place conditions on the location and manner of Alexei’s burial. Navalnaya stressed that legally she should have been granted immediate access to her son’s body, but instead, the investigators are attempting to manipulate the situation.
Medical Report Raises Questions
Kira Yarmysh, spokesperson for Navalny, stated that a medical report, signed by Navalnaya on Wednesday, claimed that the 47-year-old activist died of “natural causes.” These findings were met with skepticism considering the circumstances surrounding the case.
Political Interference and Election Concerns
A source with ties to the Kremlin informed The Moscow Times that officials are currently discussing ways of ensuring that Navalny’s death, mourning, and funeral do not become a political event that could impact Putin’s upcoming election. The source revealed that various options were proposed including the cynical suggestion of withholding the body from the family until after the election.
Conclusion
The pressure faced by Lyudmila Navalnaya to hold a secret funeral for her son, Alexei Navalny, has shed light on the efforts of Russian investigators to control the circumstances surrounding his death. As the world mourns the loss of an influential political activist, the struggle for justice and transparency continues.
