The Kremlin critic, who spent more than three years behind bars, was seen by many Russians as the best hope for a turnaround in the country following years of increasing repression under President Vladimir Putin.
Hundreds of flowers, candles and notes on one memorial, created by people around the so-called “Mourning Wall” for victims of Soviet-era repression, began to accumulate from early morning.
Some came to the memorial with their families and children. Others cried.
“Alexei Navalny’s death is the worst thing that might have happened to Russia,” read one note sandwiched between flowers and photos of the late politician.
“We will not forget, we will not forgive,” read another.
One piece of paper, addressed to Putin, reads in capital letters: “Who else?”
“Navalna gave us hope that injustice can be defeated,” said 40-year-old driver Aleksandar.
“Thanks to him, I believed that one day we will be able to create the beautiful Russia of the future.”
Independent Russian media outlet Sota reported that police detained more than 15 people who came here to honor Navalny’s memory.
The monument, an impressive bronze sculpture unveiled by Putin in 2017, features large faceless human figures and the word “Remember” inscribed in 22 languages.
The monument is located on a street named following Soviet physicist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, internationally known for his human rights work.
“Silent Solidarity”
Navalny’s memorial tributes in Moscow, however quiet and dignified, are an important act of resistance in a country where any form of political opposition is banned.
AFP reporters saw four people detained and dozens of police officers surrounding the area and preventing people from staying.
Some people placed the flowers they brought in in the snow on the nearby sidewalk.
Another makeshift memorial, which appeared in the capital’s Lubyanka Square late on Friday, was quickly dismantled overnight by a group of people in civilian clothes.
One woman who attended the tribute said she had come to share “quiet solidarity”.
“I am not a supporter of Navalny. But I wanted to show respect to this political prisoner. And to spend that evening with people who support my position,” said 45-year-old doctor Jelena.
“And I felt not sadness, but hatred for those who killed him,” she added.
Western leaders have stated that V. Putin should be held responsible for Navalny’s death.
The Kremlin on Friday reprimanded the West for “hysterical” statements regarding his death and stressed that an investigation into its circumstances was underway.
But this was of little comfort to the opposition, whose most important leaders have all been exiled, jailed or silenced over the past 30 years.
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2024-05-06 17:46:15
