Large crowds attend Navalny's funeral in Moscow amidst security concerns

Thousands of people came together in Moscow to attend the funeral of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, even though there were a lot of police around and the risk of being arrested.

When Navalny's coffin was brought to the church for the funeral, the crowd clapped and called out his name. Some also shouted phrases like "Putin is a killer" or "no to war."

Navalny, who was known as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strongest rival, passed away at the age of 47 in a prison in the Arctic on February 16. His death led to strong criticism from leaders around the world and his aides accused that he was murdered. However, the Kremlin has denied any involvement in his death.

After facing challenges from Russian authorities, Navalny’s team struggled to retrieve his body and find a venue for his funeral. Eventually, the funeral took place on Friday afternoon at the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God in Moscow’s Maryino district, where the outspoken critic of the Kremlin resided.

Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny takes part in a march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow, Russia, on February 24, 2019.

Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny takes part in a march in memory of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow, Russia, on February 24, 2019.

Pavel Golovkin/AP

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Navalny's aide mentioned that he could have been released in a prisoner swap shortly before his death.

Afterwards, Navalny was laid to rest at Borisov Cemetery. During his burial, Frank Sinatra's "My Way" was played as his coffin was lowered into the ground. Mourners were able to pay their respects at the burial site through a designated system.

Crowd control barriers lined the path to the cemetery, with numerous police vans on standby. Onlookers could see police officers stationed on rooftops, keeping a watchful eye on the increasing crowd of mourners, as seen in video footage.

Prior to the funeral, Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov cautioned the public about holding unauthorized tributes for Navalny, stating that those who participated would be breaking the law.

Maria Pevchikh, a close aide to Navalny, mentioned that the chants in support of Navalny will persist. She stated, "People are loudly chanting 'Navalny! Navalny!' This chanting will echo in the coming months and even in a year."

Thousands of mourners gather in Moscow to bid farewell to Navalny, March 1, 2024.

Thousands of mourners gather in Moscow to bid farewell to Navalny, March 1, 2024.

AP

About 20 minutes before Navalny's funeral started, the CNN team's live signal on the ground seemed to be blocked. At the same time, the live feed organized by Navalny's team also went down. However, CNN's signal came back up shortly after the service ended.

During the funeral, a Russian woman named Polina, who was among the thousands of mourners outside the church, spoke to CNN's Matthew Chance. She expressed that Navalny's passing was "horribly sad," but also mentioned that it had brought many Russians together.

Some individuals may not support the current situation. It may be risky to show support for Navalny, as Russian authorities have deemed his movement as extremist after Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Dissent has been silenced in Russia.

Navalny's team posted a photo from inside the church where the service was held. The image showed Alexei Navalny's body covered in roses, with his mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, holding a candle and watching the service. She had spent over a week in Siberia trying to bring her son's body back.

Mourners gather around the casket of Alexey Navalny during his funeral in Moscow on March 1, 2024.

Mourners gather around the casket of Alexey Navalny during his funeral in Moscow on March 1, 2024.

Reuters

Many people waiting in line before the service told CNN that they had come to honor their "hero." Marina mentioned that she had traveled from St. Petersburg because she deeply admired Navalny.

"He was a true hero... I want to bid him 'farewell,'" she expressed. Marina also shared that she was not shocked by the Kremlin's denial of any connection to Navalny's passing. "They show the world that they do as they please," she remarked. "They have the power to suppress anyone."

Tatiana, 82, shared that she has been a supporter of Navalny for a long time and has attended many of his meetings.

"I have always backed Navalny's policies and ideas. I believe in them," Tatiana expressed.

Neither of the women mentioned being scared to attend the funeral. However, Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny's widow, did express worry that the police might interfere with the mourners.

She shared with the European Parliament that she was unsure if the gathering to bid farewell to her husband would be peaceful or if the police would make arrests.

According to the monitoring group OVD Info, at least 45 individuals were arrested in various parts of Russia on Friday for paying their respects to Navalny. The report mentioned that six people were taken into custody in Moscow, while 18 were detained in Novosibirsk, the city with the highest number of arrests. Additionally, 10 individuals in Yekaterinburg were arrested for leaving flowers. CNN was unable to verify the information independently.

Navalnaya, who is currently living in exile with their children and most of Navalny's team, expressed her gratitude to her husband for "26 years of absolute happiness."

In an online post, she shared a video showcasing their moments together and wrote, "I am not sure how to navigate life without you, but I will strive to make you proud and happy up there. I am uncertain if I can manage this, but I will give it my best shot."

Mourners chanted "Navalny! Navalny!" as the Kremlin critic's coffin is carried to the Moscow church hosting his funeral.

Mourners chanted "Navalny! Navalny!" as the Kremlin critic's coffin is carried to the Moscow church hosting his funeral.

Navalny's passing caused sadness and outrage globally and within Russia, where even minor acts of political opposition come with great dangers. OVD-Info reported that over 400 individuals were arrested at impromptu gatherings honoring Navalny in 32 cities across Russia.

Navalny came back to Russia in 2021 after being treated in Germany for Novichok poisoning, which a Bellingcat-CNN investigation revealed was orchestrated by Russian intelligence.

Upon his return, he was promptly arrested and remained in prison for the rest of his life, facing charges that he believed were politically motivated.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Editor's P/S:

The funeral of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, attended by thousands despite police presence and the risk of arrest, was a poignant and powerful display of defiance against Putin