In a ceremony marked by heavy police presence, Moscow witnessed the final farewell to Alexei Navalny, the prominent opposition leader who passed away under mysterious circumstances in a penal colony two weeks ago.
Hundreds of mourners gathered in Moscow on Friday to pay their respects to Navalny, whose death in an Arctic penal colony has sparked controversy and condemnation from Western leaders. Despite initial challenges in securing a venue, Navalny’s supporters eventually obtained permission for the funeral at the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God Soothe My Sorrows.
Among the attendees were Western diplomats and potential presidential candidates Boris Nadezhdin and Yekaterina Duntsova, both barred from running against President Vladimir Putin in the upcoming elections. As Navalny’s casket arrived at the church, chants of “Navalny! Navalny!” echoed through the crowd, underscoring the fervent support he garnered.
Inside the church, Navalny’s body lay in an open casket adorned with red and white flowers, with his mother by his side holding a candle. While his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, addressed the European Parliament just days before, his daughter studies at Stanford University, and the whereabouts of his son remain unknown.
Despite efforts by Russian authorities to restrict the funeral and memorial events, Navalny’s supporters both in Russia and abroad paid their respects. The funeral was streamed live on Navalny’s YouTube channel, as his closest associates, pressured to leave Russia, watched from afar.
However, tensions remained high as authorities delayed the release of Navalny’s body from the morgue, prompting outcry from his supporters. The exact cause of his death remains undisclosed, adding to the suspicion surrounding his demise.
Navalny’s legacy as a vocal critic of official corruption and organizer of large-scale protests lives on, with his supporters vowing to continue his fight. As the procession made its way to the nearby Borisovskoye Cemetery, chants of “No to war” and “Love is more powerful than fear” reverberated through the streets.
Despite attempts to silence his dissenting voice, Navalny’s funeral served as a poignant reminder of his unwavering courage and dedication to the principles he stood for. As the nation mourns his loss, questions linger about the circumstances surrounding his death and the future of opposition politics in Russia.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
