Information
In the midst of heightened security concerns, the funeral proceedings for the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny unfolded in Moscow. Navalny, a vehement critic of President Vladimir Putin, died under mysterious circumstances on February 16 while incarcerated. The event saw pallbearers solemnly carry his coffin into a church, where a gathering of supporters paid their last respects. Despite warnings from the Kremlin against unauthorized assemblies, over 1,000 people defied the restrictions and attended the ceremony, while Navalny’s supporters opted to livestream the funeral online.
Navalny’s body was handed over to his family after repeated demands, and his mother rejected the idea of a clandestine burial. The process of finding a suitable burial place faced obstacles, with Navalny’s team accusing Russian authorities of creating hurdles. Public expressions of mourning for the Kremlin critic have become fraught with the risk of detention, as recent instances of laying flowers for Navalny resulted in numerous arrests. Navalny’s wife, Yulia Navalnaya, appealed to the public to participate in the funeral service. Simultaneously, the Kremlin emphasized that protests during the funeral were strictly prohibited.
The circumstances surrounding Navalny’s death remain contentious, with his team alleging murder orchestrated by Putin and seeking clarification. In contrast, Russia dismisses these claims, maintaining that the death certificate attributes Navalny’s demise to natural causes.
Source: Reuters, dpa, AP
Assessment
Much like other crackdowns against descent voices within Russia, the Kremlin will be looking to have this event pass with as little note as possible. Although only hard-core supporters will likely attend the event, it is possible that it could gain some attention, leading to small, isolated protests. However, Russian security services will be on high alert over the coming days to quickly squash any attempts at protest.
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