Russian authorities issue disturbing ultimatum to Alexei Navalny's mother over burial arrangements
9:01 AM EST, February 24, 2024
Only a week ago, Russian officials broke the news of the sudden passing of Navalny, the most recognized political enemy of Vladimir Putin. Navalny allegedly died in the same gulag where he was serving a 19-year sentence and might have faced an extended 30-year sentence.
His 69-year-old mother has insisted that the authorities permit her to receive her son's body for a proper burial. This would give his friends, relatives, and supporters the opportunity to bid their final farewells and honor the opposition leader, who was despised by the Kremlin.
Kira Yarmysh, the spokesperson for the deceased, disclosed the ultimatum in a post on platform X. "An hour ago, the investigator called Alexei's mother and delivered an ultimatum. Either she agrees to a covert burial without a formal farewell within three hours, or Alexei will be buried in the colony," Yarmysh wrote.
Yarmysh added that Lyudmila Navalnaya, Alexei's mother, has rejected the investigator's condition and continues to demand the release of her son's body. The authorities, however, have not responded to these claims as yet.
A moving post from Navalny's daughter
Last Friday, the daughter of Alexei Navalny made a statement following her father's death. Dasha Navalnaya shared a post on Instagram, which featured a photograph of her with her parents.
"Love, kisses, big hugs and I miss you very much," Navalnaya wrote on Instagram. This was the first comment made by the 23-year-old following her father's death.
The previous day, Navalny’s daughter and mother had a meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington. The White House released a statement after the meeting, expressing Biden's admiration for "the extraordinary courage of Alexei Navalny and his legacy of fighting against corruption and for a free and democratic Russia."
A judgment regarding Wąsik has been issued. The Court of Appeal in Warsaw dismissed the appeal.
Closed Parliament session reveals the reasons behind Tusk and Hołownia's decision.
