Following the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in an Arctic penal colony, his mother was denied access to the morgue where his body was believed to be kept. Navalny's allies accused authorities of attempting to conceal evidence related to his death.
The Investigative Committee informed Lyudmila Navalnaya that the cause of her son's death remained unknown and that the official probe had been extended. Navalny's spokesperson criticized the authorities for lying and buying time without transparency.
World leaders, including President Vladimir Putin, were blamed for Navalny's death at the age of 47. Navalny's team alleged that he was murdered and accused officials of engaging in a cover-up by refusing to release his body.
The Kremlin condemned Western leaders for holding Putin responsible for Navalny's death, describing their statements as inappropriate and ineffective.
Navalny's mother and lawyers were not permitted to enter the morgue in Salekhard, where his body was believed to be held. The staff did not provide information when asked about the body's whereabouts.
Navalny's death has left the Russian opposition without its prominent figure just before an upcoming election expected to secure Putin's continued rule. Many Russians viewed Navalny as a beacon of hope for political change due to his vocal criticism of the Kremlin.
Despite police detentions and memorial site closures, Russians continued to pay tribute to Navalny with flowers and candles. Over 50,000 requests have been submitted to the Russian government for the release of Navalny's remains to his family.
Navalny had been imprisoned since January 2021, following his recovery in Germany from nerve agent poisoning he attributed to the Kremlin. His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, is set to meet with European Union officials after posting a heartfelt message on social media in memory of her late husband.
