Navalny’s Body Returned to His Mother, Confirms Spokeswoman
The body of prominent Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny has been returned to his mother after a week of negotiations with the authorities, according to his spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh. In a post on social media, Yarmysh expressed gratitude to those who demanded the return of Navalny’s remains. The funeral plans are yet to be finalized, and there are concerns about potential interference by authorities.
Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila, reportedly faced pressure to agree to a “secret” burial. If she declined, there was a threat of him being buried at the prison colony where he died. Despite being given only three hours to decide, Lyudmila refused to negotiate with the authorities, insisting on the return of her son’s body.
The circumstances surrounding Navalny’s death on February 16 in a Russian prison remain unclear. His mother had signed a death certificate stating natural causes, but concerns were raised about the lack of transparency in the process. Navalny’s widow, Yulia Navalnaya, accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of holding her late husband’s body “hostage” and demanded its release without conditions.
Yulia Navalnaya, in a video address, accused Putin of being responsible for her husband’s death and criticized the treatment of his remains. The Kremlin has denied these allegations, describing Western reactions to Navalny’s death as “hysterical.”
Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of the Russian government, faced an assassination attempt in August 2020 when he was poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent. After recovering in Germany, he returned to Russia in January 2021 and was subsequently imprisoned. His death in custody has sparked international condemnation and calls for a thorough investigation.
Attempts to commemorate Navalny’s death have been met with a harsh response from Russian authorities, with makeshift memorials dismantled, and numerous individuals arrested. The circumstances surrounding Navalny’s demise continue to be a source of contention, raising concerns about transparency and accountability within the Russian political landscape.
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