Over 100 people arrested for participating in the tributes to Navalny

2024-03-02 10:13:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

At least 120 people have been arrested in Russia for attending ceremonies to pay their last respects to Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who was buried on March 1 in Moscow following his suspicious death on February 16 in a prison in the Arctic.

Navalny was buried in a cemetery near the home where he grew up in Moscow, as tens of thousands of supporters risked confrontation with the authorities and went to pay their respects outside the church where the farewell ceremony was held.

Family members and close aides were allowed inside the church before he was buried.

Police have been on every street corner of Russia, and while there were no reports of incidents, more than 120 people were later detained in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novisibirsk, Jetakerinburg and other cities for taking part in the protests. remembered Navalny.

The human rights organization First Department has reported that in courts in four Russian regions, Navalny's name has been considered an "extremist symbol".

Pictures of the ceremony held in the church have circulated on social networks, although cameras have been banned there.

In them, Navalny's parents are seen close to his body, open to the chest, so that the participants can see him for the last time.

Many people laid flowers on the car that carried his body and some were heard shouting 'no to war', 'Putin is a murderer' and 'we will not forget you'.

Many Western diplomats who are engaged in Moscow also participated in the ceremony in the church.

"Alexei Navalny's work has embodied a vision of a better future for Russia and all Russians. Ultimately, he gave his life for patriotic service. For many Russians, he is a symbol of what Russia can and should be ", said the American Embassy in Moscow, through a post on Telegram.

Navalny's widow, Yulia, who lives outside Russia, did not attend the funeral for security reasons.

But later, she published a very emotional video, remembering the best moments with her husband.

"I don't know how to live without you, but I will try my best to make you happy and proud of me. I don't know if I will be able to, but I will try," she said, hinting that he will continue his vision of democracy and freedom in Russia.

Before the ceremony, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov issued a warning that illegal organizations in support of Navalny are considered a violation of the law.

He also said that the Kremlin does not consider Navalny as a politician and has nothing to say about his family.

Navalny's wife has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of being behind her husband's death.

The same opinion is shared by some leaders of the West, although the Kremlin constantly rejects these positions.

Navalny has been serving a 19-year prison sentence on charges that he and his supporters have considered politically motivated./REL