Thousands of people continue to line the streets of Moscow to pay their respects to Alexei Navalny, the outspoken dissident who was allegedly murdered at the hands of the Russian state last month.
Navalny died in the IK-3 penal colony, also known as Polar Wolf, in the Kharp settlement in Russia’s Yamal-Nenets region, about 1,200 miles from Moscow, on February 16.
His funeral took place on Friday at Soothe My Sorrows Church in Moscow, where his family held an open-casket funeral for his loved ones and closest supporters.
Under a heavy police presence, Navalny’s mother, Lyudmilla Navalnaya, was accompanied by her mother-in-law, Alla Abrosimova, who joined other mourners to say goodbye to Navalny.
But more than 48 hours later, thousands of people are still taking to the streets of Moscow to pay their respects to the dead dissident.
Navalny died in the IK-3 penal colony, also known as Polar Wolf, in the Kharp settlement in Russia’s Yamal-Nenets region, about 2,000 kilometers from Moscow.
Thousands continue to take to the streets of Moscow to pay their respects to the dead dissident
grave after dozens of supporters were detained for flocking to the Putin critic’s funeral. Defiant mourners have braved the fury of the Russian state, which arrested nearly 70 people across Russia for daring to mourn the loss of the opposition figure.
Defiant mourners have braved the fury of the Russian state, which arrested nearly 70 people across Russia for daring to mourn the loss of the opposition figure.
The arrests took place “in 16 cities” across Russia, including six in Moscow, where the funeral of Vladimir Putin’s most feared critic was held.
The ceremony took place under a huge police presence as thousands of people defied the president’s warnings and descended on the capital.
According to OVD-Info, around 18 people were detained in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk alone.
Arrests are also believed to have been made in the central Russian cities of Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk.
Mourners following the hearse in Moscow threw red carnations as it passed and were heard shouting “Putin is a murderer” and “Russia will be free.”
Arrests took place “in 16 cities” across Russia, six of them in Moscow
The ceremony took place under a huge police presence as thousands of people defied the president’s warnings and descended on the capital.
In the Siberian city of Novosibirsk alone, about 18 people were detained
Arrests are also believed to have been made in the central Russian cities of Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk.
Mourners following the hearse in Moscow threw red carnations as it passed and were heard shouting “Putin is a murderer” and “Russia will be free.”
There were also unconfirmed reports that Navalny supporters were arrested as they left their homes to attend the funeral.
One of those arrested during the ceremony is believed to have been an opposition politician.
The Kremlin had warned that action would be taken against any “unauthorized protests” on the day of Navalny’s funeral, and 400 people were arrested for laying flowers at memorial sites following the outspoken politician’s death two weeks ago.
Balaclava-wearing riot police lined the streets around the Russian Orthodox church and police snipers could be seen on rooftops near the site.
Under heavy police presence, a long queue could be seen forming near the church in the south-east of the capital, with reports saying thousands of people attended.
One person said: “I feel like this is a funeral for the Russia that could have been.”
There were also unconfirmed reports that Navalny supporters were arrested as they left their homes to attend the funeral.
The Kremlin had warned that action would be taken against any “unauthorized protests” on the day of Navalny’s funeral.
It is believed that one of those arrested during the ceremony was an opposition politician
As the coffin was carried out of a black hearse and into the church, loud chants of ‘Navalny, Navalny!’ It rang around the plaza outside.
While details of those in attendance were not known, the ambassadors of France, Germany and the United States were in the crowd, as were some of Russia’s last free independent politicians.
The international community quickly condemned the death of Alexei Navalny, and many nations suspected or even openly accused Vladimir Putin of orchestrating his death.
Canada today announced a new round of sanctions against Russia on Sunday over the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
The latest sanctions will target six Russian officials, including senior officials and senior employees of Russia’s prosecutor’s office, judicial and correctional services, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a statement.
The international community quickly condemned the death of Alexei Navalny, and many nations suspected or even openly accused Vladimir Putin of orchestrating his death.
Canada announced on Sunday a new round of sanctions against Russia over the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
The latest sanctions will affect six Russian officials, including senior officials and senior employees of Russia’s prosecutor’s office, judicial and correctional services, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a statement.
Canada’s sanctions follow those of the United Kingdom and the United States, which imposed heavy sanctions on Russia.
The United States announced more than 500 new sanctions against key parts of the Russian economy, including its main card payment system, financial institutions and the military and officials involved in Navalny’s imprisonment.
Meanwhile, the UK introduced more than 50 new sanctions aimed at breaking up Russia’s war machine, targeting suppliers of rocket launchers, missiles and explosives.
The UK also sanctioned six Russian prison bosses in charge of the Polar Wolf prison colony.