Yulia, the widow of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, announced that his funeral is scheduled to take place in Moscow on Friday. However, she expressed uncertainty regarding whether the event would proceed peacefully, noting that arrangements for a civil memorial service had been obstructed.
According to Navalny's spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, a service is planned for Friday afternoon at the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God in Maryino, Moscow, where Navalny resides. Subsequently, Navalny will be interred at Borisovskoye cemetery, approximately 2.5 kilometers away on the opposite side of the Moskva River. Reports from a Reuters correspondent indicated the presence of three police patrols at the snow-covered cemetery, located near a busy thoroughfare.
Navalny's allies accused the Kremlin of impeding their efforts to organize a separate civil memorial service in a larger venue and of preventing Navalny's burial on an earlier date. Despite these allegations, the Kremlin has disavowed any involvement in such arrangements.
Yulia, Navalny's wife, placed blame on President Vladimir Putin and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin for the lack of accommodations for a civil memorial service and farewell to Alexei. She asserted that individuals within the Kremlin were responsible for Navalny's demise and subsequent disrespect towards his remains and memory.
While Russian Orthodox funeral services typically involve a priest, choral music, and mourners gathered around an open casket, specifics regarding crowd management during Navalny's funeral remain uncertain. Given the designation of Navalny supporters as U.S.-backed extremists by Russian authorities, a substantial police presence is expected, with potential dispersal of gatherings deemed politically motivated.
Yulia conveyed her apprehension about the funeral's peacefulness during an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, emphasizing the possibility of police intervention against those seeking to bid farewell to her husband.
Accusations against President Putin for Navalny's death have been vehemently made by Navalny's allies, alleging state-sponsored murder due to Putin's perceived threat of Navalny's release in a potential prisoner exchange. However, evidence supporting these claims has yet to be presented.
Yulia Navalnaya, speaking before the European lawmakers, reiterated her determination to continue her husband's opposition work and condemned Putin as a "bloody monster." She emphasized the futility of negotiation with Putin, advocating for more impactful measures against Russia's ruling elite's financial interests.
Efforts to secure a venue for a non-religious farewell ceremony for Navalny's supporters were reportedly rebuffed, leading to accusations of deliberate obstruction by the authorities. Yulia expressed a desire for people to have the opportunity to bid farewell to Navalny in a dignified manner and implored authorities to refrain from interference.
