Attempts to hire hearse for Navalny’s Moscow funeral blocked: Spokeswoman
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Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who died on Feb 16, is due to be buried in Moscow on March 1.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MOSCOW - Allies of the late Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny said on Feb 29 that attempts to hire a hearse to take his body to his funeral in Moscow the following day had been thwarted by unknown individuals.
Ms Kira Yarmysh, a spokewoman for Navalny, said on social media platform X that unknown individuals had threatened hearse providers by phone and that nobody would agree to transport his body as a result.
Mr Ivan Zhdanov, another ally, said Navalny’s team would cope and find a solution.
Navalny, who died on Feb 16 at the age of 47 in an Arctic penal colony, is due to be buried in the Russian capital on March 1 following a church service in the south-eastern suburb where he used to live.
The Kremlin critic’s allies – who have promised to live-stream his funeral service online – have accused the authorities of blocking a civil memorial service that they want to hold for him.
The Kremlin has said it has nothing to do with such arrangements.
On Feb 29, Navalny’s allies called on people who wanted to honour his memory but could not attend his funeral service to instead go to certain landmarks in their own towns on March 1 at 7pm local time.
Judging from previous gatherings of Navalny supporters – whom Russian authorities have designated as United States-backed extremists – a heavy police presence is likely, and the authorities will break up anything they deem to resemble a political demonstration, under protest laws.
Navalny’s wife Yulia has said she is unsure whether the funeral will proceed peacefully or whether police will arrest attendees.
Navalny’s allies have accused President Vladimir Putin of having him murdered because the Russian leader allegedly could not tolerate the thought of Navalny being freed in a potential prisoner swop.
They have not published proof to back up that accusation, but have promised to set out how he was murdered and by whom.
The Kremlin has denied state involvement in Navalny’s death and that it was unaware of any agreement to free him. His death certificate – according to allies – said he died of natural causes. REUTERS
