Key Takeaways:
– Thousands paying respects at Alexei Navalny’s funeral in Moscow.
– A battle ensued for the release of Navalny’s body with Putin’s regime.
– Churches reportedly refused to hold the funeral service.
– Critics blamed Putin for Navalny’s unexplained death.
– Western diplomats attended the service.
After a fortnight of uncertainty following his mysterious death in an Arctic penal colony, Alexei Navalny, one of President Putin’s fiercest critics, was bid farewell in Moscow under heavy police presence. Navalny, known for crusading against corruption and organizing major protests, had his funeral service after a long struggle with authorities to release his body.
Navigating the Labyrinth of Obstacles
Navalny’s team faced considerable resistance from Moscow churches that were reputedly hesitant to host the funeral. However, they eventually sought approval from the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God Soothe My Sorrows. On the day of the service, the church’s perimeter teemed with crowd-control barriers.
Testament to their ongoing support, Navalny’s followers broke into applause and chanted his name as his casket was carried into the church. Rallying cries like, “You weren’t afraid, neither are we!” and “No to war!” symbolized the dissenting spirit embraced by this late politician.
Who was in Attendance?
Among the attendees were Western diplomats, including U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy. Also present were presidential hopefuls, Boris Nadezhdin and Yekaterina Duntsova, who intended to contest Putin in the upcoming elections and were vocal opponents of his Ukraine policy.
Inside the church, a photo revealed a scene of solemnity: Navalny’s body lay in an open casket adorned with red and white flowers as his mother sat next to it, clutching a candle. The attendees pondered the circumstances of his death, accusations against Putin, and the crackdown on Navalny’s closest associates who’d fled Russia under duress.
Standoff Over Body Release
Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, had embarked on an eight-day quest to compel authorities to release her son’s body. Even as the funeral negotiations reached a critical point, the morgue continued to delay release.
Navalnaya appealed directly to Putin, aiming to bury her son with honor. The authorities, on their part, adhered to formal rules – claiming tests needed to be performed prior to the release.
Challenges faced by Navalny’s Supporters
Documenting their struggles across social media, Navalny’s supporters, including his spokesperson Kira Yarmysh, detailed the challenges they faced. They were allegedly forbidden from collaborating with certain funeral directors and struggled to find a hearse.
Final Goodbye Amid Uncertainty
Under the vigilant eyes of a massive police force, thousands followed Navalny’s casket from the church to the nearby Borisovskoye Cemetery. Even in the face of adversity, the crowd chanted to be allowed entry into the cemetery to bid farewell to their leader.
As of now, the Russian authorities have not divulged the cause of Navalny’s death, fueling additional speculation and criticism. Alexei Navalny was a champion of anti-corruption causes, and his life symbolized resilience and defiance against authority. His legacy continues to inspire, despite the infamous label of “extremist organization” assigned to his foundation by the Russian government. Until the end, Navalny remained the beacon of hope for an untold number of Russians yearning for change.
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