Police presence was significant near the Moscow church hosting Alexei Navalnys funeral, where supporters gathered to pay their respects to the late Russian opposition leader.
As hundreds of mourners awaited entry into the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God Soothe My Sorrows, surrounded by crowd-control barriers, officers monitored the scene closely.
Upon the arrival of Navalnys hearse at the church and the sight of his coffin being carried out, the crowd erupted in applause and chants of his name.
In response to the gathering, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cautioned against unlawful behavior, emphasizing that any unauthorized mass assemblies are considered violations, as reported by The Associated Press.
Following the funeral, a burial was scheduled at the nearby Borisovskoye Cemetery, where a heavy police presence was also observed.
Earlier in the week, Navalnys spokesperson highlighted the challenges faced in organizing the funeral, citing threats and difficulties in finding hearse drivers willing to transport the body.
Russian authorities confirmed Navalnys passing on February 16, attributing his death to feeling unwell after a walk that led to loss of consciousness. Despite initial reports of sudden death syndrome, a vague term encompassing various cardiac syndromes, his family demanded the release of his body, which was withheld for further investigation.
Navalny, known for his outspoken criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was serving a 19-year sentence on extremism charges in the countrys highest-security prison near the Arctic Circle.
In the aftermath of Navalnys death, hundreds of mourners in Russia were detained at events mourning his passing. His wife, in a speech, pledged to carry on his legacy and advocacy work.
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