Thousands turn out to mourn Navalny, defying Putin, at funeral in Moscow
Alexei Navalny's funeral on Friday brought out thousands who braved the snow, heavy security and weeks of Kremlin efforts to derail the event so that they could pay their respects the opposition leader.
For one day at least, Russia’s opposition came alive to mourn its lost leader.
The funeral of Alexei Navalny on Friday almost did not happen at all. But thousands ultimately turned out — braving the snow, heavy security and weeks of Kremlin efforts to derail the event — so that they could pay their respects to the man who challenged President Vladimir Putin with a vision for a democratic Russia.
Bearing flowers, candles and placards, the crowd chanted Navalny’s name as his body was first delivered to a church in southern Moscow for a brief funeral and then to a nearby cemetery.
There were also riskier words uttered in a country where the state crushes even modest displays of dissent. “Russia without Putin!” “Russia will be free!” and even “Putin is a murderer!” were all audible cries from the clamorous masses.
Mourners attend a funeral service for Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny at the Soothe My Sorrows church in Moscow on March 1, 2024. ReutersNavalny’s supporters say he was poisoned on Putin’s instruction, a charge the Kremlin denies.
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