Crowds Gather at Moscow Cemetery to Pay Respects to Navalny
Witnesses captured the scene at Borisovskoye Cemetery in Moscow, where crowds of individuals lined up to visit the grave of the late Putin critic, Alexei Navalny. Flowers were laid in tribute to the activist, as shown in images shared by OVD-Info, a respected Russian human rights organization.
Hundreds of individuals have been visiting the burial site of the late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny.
OVD-Info, a Russian human rights organization that keeps a watch on government oppression, has shared photos of a large crowd of people waiting in line at Navalny's grave and placing flowers at the Borisovsky Cemetery in Moscow.
The group reported that people leave flowers, say goodbye, and mourn.
According to Reuters, Navalny's mother Lyudmila visited her son's grave on Sunday for the second day, accompanied by Yulia's mother.
Navalny died last month in an Arctic penal colony.
Navalny died last month in an Arctic penal colony.
Ulf Mauder/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
Thousands of ****mourners defied threats of arrest and gathered for Navalny’s funeral on Friday, two weeks after he died aged 47 in an Arctic penal colony.
Heavy security was in place at the event, with some people in the crowd chanting his name or anti-Putin slogans.
The death of the opposition leader led to condemnation from world leaders and accusations from his aides that he had been murdered. The Kremlin, however, has denied any involvement in his death.
At least 103 individuals were arrested in 20 Russian cities during Navalny's funeral, as reported by OVD-Info on Sunday. Riot police were seen at the scene, searching and filming the ****mourners while making them pass through metal detectors.
According to the group, some attendees mentioned hiding flowers under their coats out of fear of being detained on their way to the funeral. However, this did not deter people from paying their respects and saying their final goodbyes.
His funeral saw heavy security in place but there were also defiant chants from the crowd.
His funeral saw heavy security in place but there were also defiant chants from the crowd.
Navalny came back to Russia in 2021 after being poisoned with Novichok and recovering in Germany. According to a Bellingcat-CNN investigation, the poisoning was carried out by Russian intelligence.
He was arrested as soon as he arrived and spent the rest of his life in prison for charges he believed were politically motivated.
CNN’s Matthew Chance, Katharine Krebs, Sebastian Shukla, Tim Lister, Christian Edwards, Anna Chernova, Vasco Cotovio, and Radina Gigova all contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
The outpouring of grief and support for Alexey Navalny at his burial site is a powerful testament to his legacy as a courageous and unwavering advocate for democracy in Russia. Despite the threats of arrest and heavy security presence, thousands of ****mourners defied fear to pay their respects and honor his memory. The images of people waiting patiently in line, placing flowers at his grave, and sharing their condolences speak volumes about the impact he had on countless lives.
Navalny's death in an Arctic penal colony under suspicious circumstances has raised serious questions about the Kremlin's involvement and the state of human rights in Russia. The fact that his aides have accused the government of murder and that the Kremlin has denied any wrongdoing highlights the ongoing struggle for truth and accountability in the country. The international community must continue to demand transparency and justice in this case, as well as support the brave individuals who are fighting for a free and democratic Russia.
