Thousands of individuals are gathered in Moscow for Alexei Navalny’s funeral regardless of the danger of arrest – with crowds clapping and chanting his identify as his physique was being carried contained in the church.
The funeral of the distinguished Vladimir Putin critic, whose loss of life was introduced on 16 February, is being held underneath heavy police presence.
Hundreds waited for hours to enter the church – and the discharge of Mr Navalny’s physique from the morgue the place it was being held was briefly delayed.
After the hearse arrived on the church, the gang applauded and chanted: “Alexei! Alexei!”
Once the service started, his basis launched a picture of the open casket from contained in the church.
Navalny’s funeral – observe newest updates
The Kremlin has urged these gathering in Moscow and different locations to not break the legislation, saying any “unauthorised (mass) gatherings” are violations.
Mourners collect round his physique, which lays in an open casket lined in flowers, holding candles.
Mr Navalny died at a penal colony throughout the Arctic Circle whereas serving a 19-year jail sentence on expenses his supporters mentioned have been politically motivated.
The circumstances of Mr Navalny’s loss of life stay unclear – however a number of world leaders, together with Joe Biden, have instantly blamed Vladimir Putin and the Russian authorities.
Mr Navalny’s widow Yulia Navalnaya has additionally pointed the finger on the Russian president, claiming her husband might have been poisoned with novichok.
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied any involvement in his loss of life.
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Source: information.sky.com”