On Friday, crowds gathered in Moscow to attend the funeral of Alexei Navalny. Allies of the late Russian opposition politician said over 1,000 people gathered.
CNBC was unable to independently verify the number.
Remnants of snow clung to the streets of gray Moscow as people lined up outside the church where the memorial service will take place. A heavy police presence is expected as political tensions run high ahead of presidential elections due to take place March 15-17.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that any unauthorized gatherings in support of Navalny would violate the law, according to a translation by NBC News.
Navalny died last month under unclear circumstances while serving a sentence in an Arctic prison colony. The death certificate reportedly indicated “natural causes.”
Navalny’s family, supporters and Western leaders said Russian President Vladimir Putin was responsible for his rival’s death, but the Kremlin denied any involvement.
Here’s a look at the monument as it unfolded.
Mourners gather in front of the “Mother of God – Silence My Sorrows” church ahead of a memorial service for the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on March 1, 2024.
Andrey Borodulin | Afp | Getty Images
Mourners gather outside the church before the funeral service for the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on March 1, 2024.
Alexander Nemenov | Afp | Getty Images
A man with a wreath walks through a security gate with a metal detector at Borisovo Cemetery before the funeral of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Olga Maltseva | Afp | Getty Images
The hearse carrying the coffin of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny arrives at the church for Navalny’s memorial service.
Alexander Nemenov | Afp | Getty Images
Pallbearers carry the coffin of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to his funeral service in the “Mother of God, erase my suffering” church.
Alexander Nemenov | Afp | Getty Images
Ambassadors from the USA and France pay respects
France’s ambassador to Russia, Pierre Levy, stands in line outside the church during a memorial service for the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Stringers | Afp | Getty Images
US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy stands in line outside the church during a memorial service for Alexei Navalny.
Stringers | Afp | Getty Images
Anatoly Navalny and Lyudmila Navalnaya sit by the body of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny during the memorial service.
– | Afp | Getty Images
Mourners follow the hearse carrying the coffin of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny after he left the Mother of God Erase My Sorrow church towards the Borisovo Cemetery for Navalny’s funeral in Moscow’s Mariino district March 1, 2024.
Alexander Nemenov | AFP | Getty Images
Funeral service for Alexei Navalny at the Borisovo cemetery in the Marino district of Moscow on March 1, 2024.
Olga Maltseva | Afp | Getty Images
Lyudmila Navalnaya (2nd from right) and Anatoly Navalny (r), parents of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, attend a funeral service for their son at the Borisovo cemetery in the Marino district of Moscow on March 1, 2024.
Olga Maltseva | AFP | Getty Images
Mourners attend a memorial service for the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny at the Borisovo cemetery in Moscow’s Marino district on March 1, 2024.
Olga Maltseva | AFP | Getty Images
A woman lights a candle at a makeshift memorial of flowers and candles to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny outside the Russian Embassy in Berlin on March 1, 2024, the day of Navalny’s funeral in Russia.
Tobias Schwarz | Afp | Getty Images
Numerous flowers, candles and pictures were laid in memory of Alexei Navalny near the Consulate General of the Russian Federation. Two weeks after his death in a prison camp, Kremlin opponent Navalny was buried in the Borisovskoye district of Moscow.
Sven Hoppe | Picture Alliance | Getty Images
Flowers, candles, banners and photo portraits of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny are placed by demonstrators and mourners as a memorial at the national monument on Dam Square in Amsterdam.
Nicolas Economou | Photo only | Getty Images
On the day of Alexei Navalny’s funeral, flowers can be seen alongside photos and posters opposite the Russian Embassy.
Henry Nicholls | Afp | Getty Images
Flower gifts, portraits of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and messages are seen in front of the former Russian embassy in Tbilisi on March 1, 2024.
Vano Shlamov | AFP | Getty Images
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2024-03-01 18:25:13
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