Thousands of mourners gathered in Moscow on Saturday to bid farewell to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who passed away under mysterious circumstances two weeks ago. The funeral turned into one of the largest displays of dissent in recent times, with people from all walks of life paying their respects to the fallen politician. Despite a heavy police presence at the cemetery, the atmosphere remained calm throughout the proceedings.
Lyudmila Navalnaya and Alla Abrosimova, Navalny’s mother and mother-in-law, were among the mourners who brought flowers to his grave. Russian independent TV channel Dozhd reported that the police allowed those who wanted to bid farewell to pass through without any rush. This gesture from the authorities was seen as a surprising departure from their usual handling of such events.
However, Dozhd also reported that “spontaneous memorials” dedicated to Navalny had been destroyed in various Russian cities. Flowers were removed in cities like St. Petersburg and Voronezh, indicating a concerted effort to suppress any public displays of support for the late opposition leader.
The funeral took place in a snowy southeastern suburb of Moscow, where crowds gathered outside a church and cemetery to honor Navalny. Chanting slogans in his memory and against Russian President Vladimir Putin and the ongoing war in Ukraine, the mourners expressed their grief and frustration with the current political climate. Despite their vocal dissent, the police did not intervene during the funeral.
However, OVD-Info, a rights group that monitors political arrests, reported that at least 106 people were detained across Russia during events commemorating Navalny. Most of these detentions occurred when individuals tried to lay flowers at monuments dedicated to victims of Soviet repression. This heavy-handed response from the authorities further fueled the anger and resentment among Navalny’s supporters.
After a short Russian Orthodox ceremony, Navalny was laid to rest, with vast crowds waiting outside the church to pay their final respects. His widow, Yulia, was notably absent from the funeral. In a heartfelt message, she vowed to continue her late husband’s work and expressed gratitude for the 26 years of happiness they shared.
The funeral itself was marred by a battle with the authorities over the release of Navalny’s body. His team claimed that several Moscow churches had refused to hold the funeral, highlighting the ongoing struggle between the opposition movement and the government. Many leaders from Western countries held Russian President Vladimir Putin responsible for Navalny’s death, a claim vehemently denied by the Kremlin.
The funeral of Alexei Navalny served as a powerful reminder of the impact he had on Russian society and the global political landscape. Despite facing numerous challenges and opposition from the authorities, Navalny’s legacy continues to inspire those who seek change and justice in Russia. As his supporters mourned his loss, they also vowed to carry forward his fight against corruption and authoritarianism.