MOSCOW: Anger and sorrow mix in Russia as authorities detain individuals mourning the death of prominent opposition leader Alexey Navalny. Detained in a remote Arctic penal colony, Navalny passed away last week under suspicious circumstances, sparking both grief and outrage across the nation.
Crowds have gathered across the country to pay their respects, laying flowers and holding candlelit vigils. However, these gatherings have been met with a heavy police presence. Videos and reports document detentions in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other cities, with mourners accused of violating protest laws.
The death of Navalny, a fierce critic of President Putin, has become a potent symbol of dissent and the struggle for democracy in Russia. His supporters view the detentions as an attempt to stifle their voices and prevent public displays of mourning.
International condemnation has also arrived, with leaders questioning the circumstances surrounding Navalny’s death and calling for an independent investigation. The European Union has threatened sanctions, while human rights groups decry the suppression of peaceful gatherings.
