Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny will be buried in Moscow on Friday, the 1st of March, amid tight security measures that raise fears of a police crackdown, two weeks after he died suddenly at the age of 47 in an Arctic penal colony, reports Reuters.
Police cars and riot police are reportedly deployed at the funeral site. Meanwhile, people are gathering outside the church to say goodbye to Navalny.
Meanwhile, people are gathering at the temple to bid farewell to Navalny
The funeral is scheduled to begin in three hours. pic.twitter.com/UQ2C0ZdBgi
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 1, 2024
Navalny’s allies have accused President Vladimir Putin of ordering his murder, but the Kremlin has denied state involvement in Navalny’s death.
Navalny’s death certificate, according to allies, states that he died of natural causes.
The funeral service will take place at 14:00 Moscow time at the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God
in the Maryino district in Moscow. Afterwards, at 16:00, Navalny will be buried in the Borisovskoye cemetery.
Navalny’s spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh on X invited those who could not attend the funeral to join the online coverage on Youtube.
Отпевание Алексея начнётся в 14.00. Если можете – приходите. Если не можете – трансляция в 12.00: https://t.co/0h5Irpbnsx pic.twitter.com/CGGNXNCnsu
— Кира Ярмыш (@Kira_Yarmysh) March 1, 2024
Already on Friday morning, the church, which was surrounded by metal barriers, was under increased security and dozens of police cars were parked nearby.
Navalny’s wife Yulia said she was unsure whether the funeral itself would be peaceful and whether police would arrest those attending. She is not in Russia herself.
It is expected that Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila, will attend his funeral, but it is not clear who else will be allowed to attend the church service.
The rights group has advised those who wish to attend the farewell to bring their passports and small water bottles and told them to make a note of details of lawyers who can help them in case they are detained and mobile signal in the area is cut off.
⚡️ The situation at Borisov cemetery, where Alexei Navalny’s funeral is scheduled to take place pic.twitter.com/BufnbGdP6g
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 1, 2024
Judging by previous gatherings of Navalny supporters, there is likely to be a large police presence and the authorities will stop anything they consider to be similar to a political demonstration under the protest laws.
Also read: Navalny’s funeral to be held in Moscow on Friday
Also read: VIDEO | hundreds detained at Navalny memorial events in Russia
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