MOSCOW: Prominent Russian cultural figures and activists are urging authorities to release the death body of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who passed away in an Arctic prison colony last Friday.
After being denied access for several days, Navalny’s mother, Lyudmila, revealed on Thursday that she had finally been permitted to view her son’s body. However, authorities refused to grant her custody and proposed a secret burial instead.
Over 25 filmmakers, artists, Nobel Prize laureates, and critics of President Vladimir Putin have joined the call for Navalny’s body to be released. Their messages were shared on social media by Navalny’s team.
Among those advocating for the release of Navalny’s body are Nobel Prize-winning editor Dmitry Muratov, Pussy Riot member and activist Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, writer Victor Shenderovich, and filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev.
Muratov emphasized the importance of honoring Navalny’s mother’s wishes, stating, “In a country that considers itself Christian, it’s uncomfortable to discuss this matter. Lyudmila Ivanovna should be given her son without any conditions.”
He criticized authorities for continuing to isolate Navalny even in death, a practice that had persisted during his three-year imprisonment.
Navalny’s supporters, who accuse Putin of being responsible for his death in prison, believe that authorities are reluctant to permit a public funeral. They fear it could turn into a display of support for Navalny’s movement and opposition to the Kremlin.
In response to Navalny’s passing, police have detained hundreds of mourners at impromptu memorials in Moscow and across Russia over the past week.
Putin has yet to publicly address the death of his most prominent critic.
“Putin was apprehensive about Navalny throughout his life,” remarked writer and longtime Putin critic Shenderovich. “Even after Navalny’s death, Putin remains apprehensive—fearing the man he killed,” he added.
