According to rights group OVD-Info, over 110 individuals were apprehended in Russia during gatherings commemorating the late Alexei Navalny, a prominent figure known for his opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Navalny, a former lawyer aged 47, tragically passed away on Friday while incarcerated at the "Polar Wolf" Arctic penal colony, where he was serving a lengthy sentence.
OVD-Info, an organization that monitors freedom of assembly in Russia, reported that more than 110 people were detained across 13 cities in Russia during spontaneous demonstrations as of 0736 GMT on Saturday. Notably, St Petersburg alone witnessed the detention of at least 69 individuals, as documented by OVD-Info.
The group further explained that there could potentially be more detainees in police custody than those listed publicly, with their published information based on verified accounts. As of now, Reuters has not independently corroborated these figures.
The somber atmosphere following Navalny's passing was evident in Moscow, where numerous flowers and candles were laid out on Friday in his memory. However, overnight, these tributes were removed and placed in black bags. Amidst expressions of sorrow and disillusionment from the Russian public, Navalny's death has sparked a sense of despair and resignation.
