Russians risk reprisals to visit Navalny grave on death anniversary
Russia has still not fully explained circumstances of opposition leader’s death, saying he died during a walk in yard of Arctic penal colony
At least 1,500 Russians came to the grave of Alexei Navalny in Moscow on Sunday, risking reprisals and braving freezing temperatures to pay their respects to the opposition leader on the first anniversary of his death in prison.
Agence France-Presse saw hundreds come to Navalny’s grave at Borisovsky Cemetery, leaving flowers and forming a large queue by midafternoon.
Russia has still not fully explained the circumstances of his death – saying he died during a walk in the prison yard.
His mother Lyudmila Navalnaya told Agence France-Presse that she was “doing everything” to push for an investigation and hoped those responsible would be punished.
“The whole world knows who ordered it,” she said, wearing dark sunglasses and holding back tears. “But we want them to know the perpetrators and the enablers.”