The coffin of the late opposition figure Navalny as he arrives at a church in Moscow (French)

It was reported that large numbers gathered today, Friday, near a church in Moscow, where the funeral of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny will take place, while the Kremlin warned against any unauthorized demonstrations.

His body arrived on Friday at a church in Moscow, his team announced.

Agence France-Presse reported that thousands of people gathered to participate in his funeral, amid a heavy police presence.

Ivan Zhdanov, a member of Navalny's team, posted a video on Telegram showing several men removing the coffin from the hearse.

"It will take some time to prepare for the funeral. The family will enter the church," he said. 

Leonid Volkov - an ally of Alexei Navalny - said that more than a thousand people gathered near a church in Moscow to bid farewell to Navalny, who died two weeks ago, while he was serving a prison sentence.

Navalny's family says Russian President Vladimir Putin bears responsibility for his death, but authorities have confirmed that he died while exercising in freezing weather.

A large queue formed in front of the church located in southeastern Moscow, some of whom were crying and others carrying flowers, while the police, who attended in large numbers, set up barriers throughout the area.

A great man

“We no longer have any other politicians like him,” said a librarian named Maria, 55 years old, adding that she felt “fearful and sad.”

Maxime, a 43-year-old information technology specialist, said: “I do not see anything illegal in coming to say goodbye to a great man.”

The Kremlin warned against any "unlicensed" demonstrations.

TASS quoted Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying, "Any unauthorized demonstration will constitute a violation of the law."

Therefore, those who participate in it will bear responsibility, according to current law.”

He is scheduled to be buried two hours later in the Borisovo cemetery, located a short distance from the banks of the Moskva River.

Law enforcement vehicles and riot police trucks were deployed near the cemetery before the ceremony began.

Source: Agencies