Russian authorities are taking tight security measures around the funeral of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Dozens of police cars are deployed near the church in Moscow, where the funeral ceremony is being held.
Hundreds of sympathizers had already gathered at the house of worship on Friday morning. Some onlookers shouted Navalny’s name as the coffin arrived. News agency France Press agency Reports say that thousands of people came to the church. The crowd also includes the ambassadors of Germany and France.
The atmosphere surrounding the funeral is tense. The police are present in large numbers and passers-by are subject to searches. One journalist saw that the area was guarded by officers wearing helmets and carrying tear gas canisters.
It remains unclear how the authorities will take action against people who come to show support. Sympathizers were previously arrested for laying flowers after Navalny’s death.
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Navalny’s supporters are also planning to say goodbye elsewhere
Navalny, 47, has been an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin. He refused to be named publicly and also did not respond to the death of the opposition leader in a penal colony.
The funeral started at 12 noon Dutch time. Navalny’s body left the church about 50 minutes later and was taken to a cemetery in the area.
For a time it seemed that the church service and funeral would be delayed. Transporting Navalny’s body to his family at the morgue took longer than expected.
Allies of the late opposition leader say Russians who cannot attend the funeral can also bid farewell by gathering elsewhere at 7 p.m.
A Kremlin spokesman noted that it is illegal to organize public gatherings for Navalny without obtaining permission from the government.
1:00Navalny’s coffin arrives at the church in Moscow
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