Ultimatum for Closed Funeral
Russian authorities have issued an ultimatum to the family of late opposition leader Alexey Navalny. If his family does not agree to a closed funeral, Navalny will be buried at the Arctic prison colony where he died. Navalny, a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, passed away on February 16 after spending three years in prison on what many believe to be politically motivated charges.
Refusal to Comply
Navalny’s spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, revealed that an investigator contacted Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, with the ultimatum. Despite the threat, Navalnaya refused to negotiate, standing firm on her demand for compliance with the law. She insists on a public funeral and memorial service in line with legal requirements.
Accusations and Repression
Navalny’s team accuses Russian officials of fearing the deceased opposition leader, alleging that the government is preventing a public funeral to avoid a display of support for Navalny’s anti-Putin stance. They have also criticized Putin, labeling him a “killer” for obstructing independent forensic analysis of Navalny’s body. Russian police have reportedly detained hundreds of mourners at impromptu memorials dedicated to Navalny.
Blackmail and Secrecy
Navalny’s mother, who was permitted to view his body recently, expressed frustration at the authorities’ attempts to dictate the terms of Navalny’s burial. She denounced the attempts at secrecy, stating, “They want it to be done secretly without a mourning ceremony.”
