Current:Home > InvestAlexey Navalny's funeral in Russia draws crowds to Moscow church despite tight security-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Alexey Navalny's funeral in Russia draws crowds to Moscow church despite tight security
View Date:2024-12-23 23:05:38
People lined up for at least half a mile outside the Moscow church where Alexey Navalny's funeral took place Friday to bid farewell to Russia's most prominent opposition figure. Navalny, one of the most vocal critics of President Vladimir Putin, died two weeks ago in a remote Russian prison, and his family and allies have accused the Russian leader of having him killed.
There was a large police presence and fences were erected by Russian authorities around the church. Nevertheless, crowds chanted the opposition leader's name, as well as slogans like: "Do not give up!" "Russia without Putin!" and "Russia will be free!"
U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy was inside the church for the service.
"Alexey Navalny remains a shining example of what Russia could & should be," the U.S. Embassy in Russia said in a statement on social media. "His death is a tragic reminder of the lengths the Kremlin will go to silence its critics. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, supporters, & all those he has inspired to work for a brighter future."
As the funeral commenced, and image of what appeared to be Navalny's open casket was broadcast by his allies. In the image, Navalny's body is seen covered in roses and surrounded by mourners. The church service ended quickly and the casket was then taken to the Borisov Cemetery, about 1.5 miles away, where his friends and members of his family kissed him goodbye before his casket was closed and lowered into the ground.
Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, posted a message paying tribute to her husband on social media, thanking him, "for love, for always supporting me, for making me laugh even from prison, for the fact that you always thought about me. I don't know how to live without you, but I will try to make you up there happy for me and proud of me," she said. "I don't know if I can handle it or not, but I will try."
Navalny, 47, died in an Arctic penal colony on Feb. 16. Prison authorities said he died of natural causes. His family fought for over a week to have his body returned to them. It was finally handed over to his mother on Saturday. Navalny's family and allies said they struggled to plan his funeral because Russian authorities discouraged funeral homes, public halls and hearse drivers from working with them.
The Kremlin warned members of the public on Friday against any unsanctioned gatherings in support of Navalny.
"Just a reminder that we have a law that must be followed. Any unauthorized gatherings will be in violation of the law, and those who participate in them will be held accountable — again, in line with the current law," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.
At least 56 people were detained in 14 cities across Russia on Friday, the OVD-Info rights group, which tracks political arrests and provides legal aid, said.
Who was Alexey Navalny?
Navalny, who survived at least two suspected assassination attempts with poison, including an attack with the nerve agent Novichok in 2020, was the most outspoken critic of Putin's government before he was imprisoned in 2021.
- Navalny's own message to the world, "if they decide to kill me"
When he returned to Russia after receiving treatment for Novichok poisoning in Germany, Navalny was initially handed a nine-year sentence in a high-security prison for parole violations, fraud and contempt of court, but was later convicted of promoting "extremism." His sentence was extended by 19 years in August 2023, and he was transferred to another high-security prison with a reputation for abuse — known as the "torture conveyor belt" — which raised further concerns about his safety.
"Without public protection, Alexey will be face to face with those who have already tried to kill him, and nothing will stop them from trying again," his spokesperson, Yarmysh, said after the court's decision. "We are now talking not only about Alexey's freedom, but also about his life."
Navalny and many outside observers always considered the charges against him baseless political retaliation for his criticism of Putin and the Kremlin's policies, both foreign and domestic. The U.S. State Department also considered his prosecution and imprisonment "politically motivated."
Anhelina Shamlii contributed to this report.
- In:
- War
- Ukraine
- Alexey Navalny
- Russia
- Vladimir Putin
- Moscow
Haley Ott is cbsnews.com's foreign reporter, based in the CBS News London bureau. Haley joined the cbsnews.com team in 2018, prior to which she worked for outlets including Al Jazeera, Monocle, and Vice News.
Twitter InstagramveryGood! (8276)
Related
- Darren Criss on why playing a robot in 'Maybe Happy Ending' makes him want to cry
- Kennesaw State football coach Brian Bohannon steps down after 10 seasons amid first year in FBS
- South Carolina does not set a date for the next execution after requests for a holiday pause
- Mattel says it ‘deeply’ regrets misprint on ‘Wicked’ dolls packaging that links to porn site
- Does the NFL have a special teams bias when hiring head coaches? History indicates it does
- Tennessee fugitive accused of killing a man and lying about a bear chase is caught in South Carolina
- 2024 'virtually certain' to be warmest year on record, scientists say
- Georgia's humbling loss to Mississippi leads college football winners and losers for Week 11
- 'Squid Game' creator lost '8 or 9' teeth making Season 1, explains Season 2 twist
- Utah AD Mark Harlan rips officials following loss to BYU, claims game was 'stolen from us'
Ranking
- Florida Man Arrested for Cold Case Double Murder Almost 50 Years Later
- The charming Russian scene-stealers of 'Anora' are also real-life best friends
- Lane Kiffin puts heat on CFP bracket after Ole Miss pounds Georgia. So, who's left out?
- 'Joker 2' actor pans DC sequel as the 'worst film' ever: 'It has no plot'
- Jessica Simpson's Husband Eric Johnson Steps Out Ringless Amid Split Speculation
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul stirs debate: Is this a legitimate fight?
- Taylor Swift Politely Corrects Security’s Etiquette at Travis Kelce’s Chiefs Game
- See Leonardo DiCaprio's Transformation From '90s Heartthrob to Esteemed Oscar Winner
Recommendation
-
Trump hammered Democrats on transgender issues. Now the party is at odds on a response
-
IAT Community Introduce
-
Digital Finance Research Institute Introduce
-
Mississippi Valley State football player Ryan Quinney dies in car accident
-
Northern Taurid meteor shower hits peak activity this week: When and where to watch
-
Will Trump’s hush money conviction stand? A judge will rule on the president-elect’s immunity claim
-
Fire crews on both US coasts battle wildfires, 1 dead; Veterans Day ceremony postponed
-
COINIXIAI Introduce