The funeral ceremony for Alexeï Navalny, Russia’s leading opposition figure who passed away in prison on February 16, was initially planned for Thursday. However, the day coincided with the delivery of a significant policy speech by Vladimir Putin, forcing a rescheduling of the event. The ceremony is now slated to take place on Friday, at the church of the Icon of the Mother of God in Moscow.
Several hundreds of Russians gathered around the church, with a strong police presence in the vicinity. Different emotions were visible among the crowd – some came bearing flowers, others with tears in their eyes. The police, in large numbers, erected fences around the area.
The church, nestled among Soviet-era buildings, is located in the southern suburbs of the Moscow metropolitan area where Navalny lived with his family. His final resting place is expected to be the austere Borisov cemetery, a half-hour walk away, across the Moskva River.
Following days of negotiations, the Kremlin finally agreed to hand over Navalny’s remains to his family, allowing them to bury him with dignity. Political scientist Vera Grantseva suggests that the authorities had no other choice as the pleas of Navalny’s mother started to elicit public empathy.
However, Navalny’s close aides accuse the authorities of bargaining for a peaceful ceremony in return for the body. Ivan Zhdanov, director of the Anti-Corruption Foundation founded by Navalny, claimed in an interview that the authorities pressured those contacted to organize a public farewell ceremony, resulting in refusals.
Grantseva further explains that Navalny being buried with dignity, in the presence of his family and near his home, rather than in Siberia, might be a compromise between his associates and the Kremlin. However, she rules out any Kremlin officials being present at the ceremony, given Navalny’s reputation as Putin’s prime adversary.
“Surveillance cameras” on street lamps
In the aftermath of the mysterious murder of opposition figure Boris Nemtsov in February 2015, between 21,000 and 70,000 people marched in Moscow. Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, expressed uncertainty over whether Navalny’s funeral would be peaceful or if the police would arrest attendees.
Russian media reports suggest heavy police deployment in the area surrounding the cemetery on the day prior to the funeral. Photos published by RusNews show law enforcement patrolling the area, with surveillance cameras installed on every lamp post and metal fences erected.
Grantseva recalls that following Navalny’s death, the authorities attempted to intimidate sympathizers who came to lay flowers at monuments dedicated to victims of political repression. Some were arrested, while others were summoned to join the Ukrainian front.
VIDEO. Death of Navalny: in Russia, more than 350 people arrested during rallies in tribute to the opponent
Political scientist Grantseva predicts that the presence of sympathizers near the church is unavoidable, but anticipates a heavy police presence and potential searches of attendees, citing security reasons. She believes the area will likely be cordoned off to limit the visibility of the crowd, but does not expect the family to be harassed, as it would portray the authorities in a negative light.
Since Navalny’s death, Putin has yet to publicly mention his name. His lengthy speech on Thursday did not include any reference to his political adversary, suggesting a definitive end to the chapter of political opposition in Russia, in the eyes of the Kremlin’s master.
