The funeral arrangements for Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who tragically passed away earlier this month in a remote Arctic penal colony, have finally been confirmed. According to his spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, the funeral will take place on Friday in Moscow, after facing several challenges in finding a suitable location for the service.

Yarmysh announced on Wednesday that Navalny’s funeral will be held at a church in Moscow’s southeast Maryino district on Friday afternoon, followed by burial at a nearby cemetery.

Navalny’s death at the age of 47 in mid-February, within one of Russia’s harshest penal facilities, has raised numerous questions. Russian authorities have stated that the cause of his death is still unknown, leaving room for skepticism, especially among Western leaders who have already pointed fingers at Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Yarmysh shed light on the obstacles encountered while trying to organize the farewell event for Navalny. “Most venues claimed to be fully booked, with some explicitly refusing when we mentioned the surname ‘Navalny’,” she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. She also disclosed that “funeral agencies were forbidden to work with us.”

Ivan Zhdanov, the director of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, revealed that the funeral was initially planned for Thursday, coinciding with Putin’s annual address to Russia’s Federal Assembly. However, no venue agreed to host it on that day. Zhdanov criticized the Kremlin, suggesting that they understand the significance of Navalny’s farewell overshadowing Putin’s address.

In an interview with the independent Russian news site Meduza, Zhdanov highlighted the pressure exerted on Navalny’s relatives to opt for a “quiet family funeral” and relocate the burial to the Khovanskoye cemetery on Moscow’s southwestern outskirts.

Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, expressed concerns about potential police interference during the funeral. Addressing European lawmakers in Strasbourg, she stated, “I’m not sure yet whether it will be peaceful or whether police will arrest those who have come to say goodbye to my husband.”

Navalnaya urged the European Parliament to adopt innovative strategies in dealing with Putin and his associates, emphasizing the need to investigate financial activities supporting Putin’s regime.

Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament, paid tribute to Navalny, describing him as a symbol of hope for a free Russia.

Navalnaya’s poignant address encapsulated the sentiment of many who mourn the loss of  of Navalny, a figure who represented aspirations for a better, more democratic Russia.