Highlights: In Russia, thousands of people pay tribute to Alexei Navalny during a funeral under strict surveillance. A long queue of a few thousand people, under close police surveillance, had formed since the morning in front of the church of the ceremony. Dozens of law enforcement personnel were deployed in the area. According to the Orthodox rite, the body is exposed in an open coffin for loved ones before burial. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov warned of potential sanctions for participating in any “ unauthorized ” demonstrations during the funeral.

Several thousand supporters of the Russian opponent gathered on Friday March 1 to pay tribute to him in a Moscow church before his funeral, despite the risk of arrest.

In Russia, thousands of people pay tribute to Alexei Navalny during a funeral under strict surveillance

Several thousand supporters of the Russian opponent gathered on Friday March 1 to pay tribute to him in a Moscow church before his funeral, despite the risk of arrest.

A hearse, believed to be carrying the coffin containing the body of Russian opponent Alexei Navalny, arrives at the Soothe My Sorrows church in Moscow, March 1, 2024. © Reuters

By: RFI Follow

The hearse carrying the coffin of Vladimir Putin's main opponent arrived around 1:50 p.m. local time (10:50 a.m. UT) in front of the church, to the applause of the crowd, some chanting the opponent's name.

A long queue of a few thousand people, under close police surveillance, had formed since the morning in front of the church of the ceremony, in the district of Marino, where the opponent lived when he was free.

Support from Moscow of course, but also from all over Russia.

Dozens of law enforcement personnel were deployed in the area.

The authorities also marked off the path leading from the church to the cemetery with metal barriers.

Inside the church, several witnesses report announcements specifying that all visual and sound recording is prohibited, and in the area of the church, that of the cemetery and on the few kilometers separating them, cameras were installed these last two days at each streetlight.

Everyone also saw many barriers on the scene and already unmarked cars which obviously did not belong to the funeral directors or the family.

"

We are scared
"

According to the Orthodox rite, the body is exposed in an open coffin for loved ones before burial.

One word comes up often: “

We are afraid, we are afraid to be here.

» Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov warned of potential sanctions for participating in any “

unauthorized

” demonstrations during the funeral.

During his daily press conference, Dmitri Peskov also affirmed that he had “

nothing to say

” to the family of the deceased.

Thousands of people are outside the church in Moscow's Maryino to say their goodbyes to Alexei Navalny.

pic.twitter.com/5Yyj0Oo9lH

— The Anti-Corruption Foundation (@ACF_int) March 1, 2024

Main opponent of the Kremlin, Alexeï Navalny died on February 16 at the age of 47 in a Russian penal colony in the Arctic in circumstances which remain obscure.

His collaborators, his widow Yulia Navalnaïa and the West have accused Vladimir Putin of being responsible for his death, which the Kremlin denies.

After delaying handing over the remains of Alexei Navalny to his loved ones, the Russian authorities finally did so last weekend, allowing a funeral.

In Russia, thousands of people pay tribute to Alexei Navalny during a funeral under strict surveillance

In Russia, thousands of people pay tribute to Alexei Navalny during a funeral under strict surveillance

"

We are scared
"

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest

In Russia, thousands of people pay tribute to Alexei Navalny during a funeral under strict surveillance

In Russia, thousands of people pay tribute to Alexei Navalny during a funeral under strict surveillance

" We are scared "

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest

"

We are scared
"