Navalny buried in Moscow as thousands chant his name
A woman holds a portrait of Alexei Navalny and a book titled "A saint against the Reich" as people gather outside the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God Soothe My Sorrows, in Moscow, Russia, March 1. AP-Yonhap
More than a quarter of a million people watched the farewell to Navalny on his YouTube channel, which is blocked inside Russia. Messages, mostly expressing sadness but some also defiance, streamed down beside the video.
Allies of Navalny outside Russia have called on people who want to honour his memory but could not attend his funeral service to instead go to memorials to Soviet-era repression in their own towns on Friday evening at 7 p.m. local time.
The Kremlin said any unsanctioned gatherings in support of Navalny would violate the law.
"Just a reminder that we have a law that must be followed. Any unauthorised 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," Peskov said.
Navalny's wife Yulia and two children, who are living outside Russia, did not attend the funeral.
Yulia Navalnaya, who has pledged to continue her husband's work, thanked him for "26 years of absolute happiness".
She posted on X: "I don’t know how to live without you, but I will try my best to make you up there happy for me and proud of me. I don't know if I'll manage it or not, but I will try."
Navalny was a Christian who condemned Putin's decision to send tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine as a crazy enterprise built on lies. The church that hosted his funeral has donated to the Russian army and enthusiastically advertised its backing for the war.
Russian people pay their respects next to a hearse with the coffin of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny outside the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God during his funeral in Moscow, Russia, March 1. EPA-Yonhap
In the run-up to the ceremony, his allies accused the authorities of blocking their plans to hold a bigger civil memorial service. The Kremlin has said it has nothing to do with Navalny's funeral arrangements.
Navalny's allies have accused Putin of having him murdered because the Russian leader could allegedly not tolerate the thought of Navalny being freed in a potential prisoner swap.
They have not published proof to back up that accusation, but have promised to set out how he was murdered and by whom.
The Kremlin has denied state involvement in his death and has said it is unaware of any agreement to free Navalny. His death certificate — according to allies — said he died of natural causes.
Navalny, a former lawyer, mounted the most determined political challenge against Putin since the Russian leader came to power at the end of 1999, organising street protests and publishing high-profile investigations into the alleged corruption of some in the ruling elite.
Navalny decided to return to Russia from Germany in 2021 after being treated for what Western doctors said was poisoning with a nerve agent only to be immediately taken into custody.
Putin has yet to comment on Navalny's death and has for years avoided mentioning him by name. (Reuters)