The memorial service for Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has drawn thousands of mourners, with Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, bidding farewell to her son amidst a crowd chanting slogans critical of the government. As Navalny lies in state, the atmosphere is charged with emotion and defiance. Chants of “Putin is a murderer!” reverberate through the gathering, underscoring the political tensions surrounding Navalny’s death.
Lyudmila Navalnaya had expressed her desire for her son’s body to be brought to Moscow for a public farewell service, adhering to Russian tradition. She also requested that his funeral and burial take place at the Troyekurovskoye cemetery, where many prominent figures, including opposition leaders, have been laid to rest.
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After a week-long struggle, Russian authorities finally handed over Navalny’s body to his mother, following pressure from his political team and widespread public outcry. Dozens of Russian celebrities, artists, activists, and journalists had appealed to President Vladimir Putin to release Navalny’s body to his family, backed by a petition signed by over 98,000 citizens organized by the legal rights group OVD-Info.
Navalny’s daughter, Dasha Navalnaya, also joined the campaign, urging authorities to “Give my papa’s body to grandmother” in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
As Navalny’s funeral proceedings unfold, the solemn occasion becomes a platform for expressions of grief, defiance, and demands for justice. The presence of thousands of mourners chanting “No to the war” reflects not only their mourning for Navalny but also their discontent with the political landscape in Russia.
