Navalny parents thank crowds for honoring him

In a message published by his widow Yulia Navalnaya on Saturday, the parents of Alexei Navalny, Russia's late opposition leader, give thanks to the Russian crowds paying their respects to their son. Despite the threat of arrest, streams of Russians have been bringing flowers to his grave in Moscow since his funeral on March 1. Navalny, who was Putin's main opponent, passed away in his Arctic prison in mid-February.

We are deeply grateful and humbled by those who have visited and continue to visit the cemetery, bringing flowers, sharing memories of Alexei, honoring our son, and praying for him, expressed Lyudmila and Anatoly, the parents of the politician, in a heartfelt handwritten message.

We appreciate the remembrance and the hope it brings, they further added.

The couple expressed their gratitude to the Russians who "share in our grief."

After more than a week of trying, Navalny's mother, Lyudmila, was finally able to bring her son's body back to Moscow.

His burial at Borisovskoye cemetery in Moscow was attended by thousands of mourners.
Even after the funeral, people have continued to bring flowers to Navalny's grave.

Yulia Navalnaya has promised to carry on her husband's work and urged Russians to peacefully protest by forming long lines outside polling stations during the upcoming presidential elections in Russia.

The process of exploring options to secure the release of Navalny, which had been on and off for two years, began to pick up speed after Abramovich's recent visit to Moscow, as two sources reported.
Early efforts to free Navalny were also supported by former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, according to multiple sources.

Navalny's death at the age of 47 was reported by the Russian prison service on February 16, 2024. His passing led to protests in Russia and around the world, with Western governments and international organizations pointing fingers at the Russian authorities for his demise.