In a recent development, Lyudmila Navalny, mother of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has accused Russian officials of planning a secret burial without a proper funeral. The 47-year-old politician died unexpectedly in an Arctic penal colony last week, with his family and aides claiming foul play, an allegation the Kremlin denies.
Lyudmila Navalny, speaking in a YouTube video, disclosed her refusal to consent to a secretive burial. She expressed her dismay at being taken to the edge of a cemetery, refusing to accept the lack of a proper farewell. The accusation was made against Russian investigators who, according to her, want to conduct the burial discreetly.
Despite her claims, there has been no immediate response from Russian investigators. The opposition leader’s mother asserted that she had been shown his body and death certificate, which allegedly cited natural causes as the reason for Navalny’s demise. Navalny’s aides supported this claim.
Recounting her experience at a morgue where she saw her son’s body, Lyudmila Navalny revealed that investigators had presented all the necessary medical and legal documents. However, she criticized the delay in returning her son’s body, describing the situation as illegal.
In the video, Navalny’s mother detailed alleged threats and blackmail by investigators, including attempts to coerce her into accepting conditions for the burial. She insisted on following the law and demanded the immediate return of her son’s body.
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The Kremlin, maintaining its denial of involvement in Navalny’s death, stated that investigations are ongoing. President Vladimir Putin has yet to comment on the matter.
The unfolding events surrounding Navalny’s death and the controversy surrounding his burial highlight the tensions between his family and Russian authorities. The lack of transparency in the handling of his death raises concerns and adds to the broader narrative of political opposition in Russia.