Mourners Defy Kremlin Tactics at Alexei Navalny’s Funeral Amid Ongoing Crackdown
The funeral of Alexei Navalny on Friday was almost thwarted by Kremlin efforts, but thousands persevered through snow and heavy security to pay respects to the opposition leader who challenged President Vladimir Putin’s vision for a democratic Russia. Despite weeks of attempts to derail the event, a crowd bearing flowers, candles, and placards gathered, chanting Navalny’s name as his body was moved to a church and then to a nearby cemetery.
The funeral, viewed globally via a YouTube livestream, included risky chants such as “Russia without Putin!” and “Putin is a murderer!” from the crowd, despite the state’s history of suppressing dissent. Navalny’s supporters allege he was poisoned on Putin’s orders, a claim the Kremlin denies.
Security was tight, with police on rooftops and around Navalny’s old house. The heavy-handed approach included warnings from Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov of consequences for any unsanctioned gatherings. Two people were reportedly detained during the event.
Navalny’s death and the subsequent crackdown reflect a sense of panic on Putin’s part, according to critics. Bill Browder, an American businessman and Kremlin critic, views the actions as pure repression to maintain control, even with Putin’s anticipated victory in the upcoming election.
The geopolitical tension between Moscow and the West was evident at the funeral, with diplomats, including U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne M. Tracy, in attendance. Navalny’s death was described as a tragic reminder of the Kremlin’s efforts to silence critics.
Despite the crackdown on dissent, Navalny’s funeral witnessed defiant mourners, a stark contrast to the Kremlin’s deliberate tactic of arresting people laying flowers at Navalny memorials in the weeks leading up to the event. The crowd, estimated to be several kilometers long, defied intimidation and risked consequences to honor Navalny’s memory.
As Navalny’s coffin was lowered into the earth at Moscow’s Borisovskoye Cemetery, the funeral included a nod to Navalny’s love for the film “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” The music from the movie’s iconic final scene, where the character is lowered into molten steel, played during the ceremony.
Despite the show of resistance, the funeral is unlikely to bring immediate change, as Putin is expected to win the upcoming election, which critics argue lacks credible opposition. Putin’s lengthy reign, marked by increasing repression, has endured challenges from the exiled, incarcerated, and deceased remnants of the opposition. Notably absent was Navalny’s wife, Yulia, who pledged to continue his fight, expressing the difficulty of living without him in a final tribute on social media.
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