Navalny's Funeral Held; Citizens Chanted Against 'Killer Putin'

The funeral of Alexei Navalny, a prominent politician and critic of Putin, was held on Friday, March 2, under heavy security measures in a small church in Moscow. Attendees included Navalny's parents and thousands of Russian citizens who held the government responsible for the death of this political dissident. An Orthodox priest conducted the brief ceremony. While security forces prevented citizens from entering the church to bid farewell to Navalny, they shouted his name in the surrounding streets and chanted anti-government slogans. After the ceremony, his coffin was carried outside the church, where chants such as 'Russia will be free', 'No to war', 'Russia without Putin', 'We will not forget', and 'Putin is a killer' were heard. Navalny, the most steadfast domestic critic of Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, died in prison at the age of 47. His supporters claim he was murdered by the government, a charge the Kremlin denies. Moscow has declared Navalny's movement as an extremist, illegal movement and describes his supporters as rioters who, with U.S. backing, aim to incite a revolution in Russia. Washington rejects this accusation. The funeral of Alexei Navalny takes place two weeks before the Russian presidential elections. Vladimir Putin, who has held power for over 20 years, is expected to easily remain in power for another six-year term. Navalny's body was transferred to the 'Boriskovskoye' cemetery, about 2.5 kilometers away, across the Moscow River. The presence of security forces was noticeable, and surrounding streets were closed. The ceremony was streamed live via Navalny's YouTube account, although this channel is blocked within Russia. Many users expressed condolences and sorrow over Navalny's death, but messages about disobedience and resistance against the Putin government were also shared. Navalny's allies, mostly based outside Russia, urged citizens to gather at Soviet-era repression memorials in their cities on Friday night to pay tribute to the critic. The Kremlin has stated it will deal with any unauthorized gatherings in support of Navalny. Navalny was a serious critic of Vladimir Putin's policies, especially the military attack on Ukraine, which he repeatedly described as 'madness'. According to his allies, Vladimir Putin murdered this dissident politician because he did not want Navalny to be released during a potential prisoner exchange. They claim they will reveal the details of the murder and related information. The Kremlin denies government involvement in Navalny's death, states it has no knowledge of a prisoner exchange, and claims he died of natural causes in prison. Navalny, a former lawyer, is considered the most significant internal political challenge to Vladimir Putin in the last two decades, exposing corruption and mismanagement by the Kremlin and government officials through organizing widespread street protests. This prominent opposition figure was sentenced to over 30 years in prison on charges of fraud or extremism, which Navalny claims were politically motivated and aimed at silencing him. Vladimir Putin has yet to comment on Navalny's death and has avoided mentioning his name for years. Source: Reuters. Navalny will be buried on Friday; concerns about possible arrests on the day of the ceremony. A claim from one of Navalny's allies: he was supposed to be exchanged and freed before his suspicious death. Russian officials handed Navalny's body to his mother. Yulia Navalnaya told Russian officials: 'Return Alexei Navalny's body to his family.' Navalny's spokesperson: Russian officials gave Alexei's mother an 'ultimatum' for her son's burial. The European Union has called for a 'transparent international investigation' into Navalny's death. The White House responded to Navalny's death: 'Major sanctions' await Russia. The European Union has called for new sanctions against Russia due to Navalny's death. Joe Biden announced the consideration of new sanctions against Russia due to the suspicious death of Alexei Navalny. Hundreds arrested in Russia for commemorating Alexei Navalny; Yulia Navalnaya: 'I love you.'