Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, has been buried in Moscow amid heavy security.
Thousands of people said goodbye to Navalny at his funeral after his still-unexplained death two weeks ago in an Arctic penal colony.
The funeral was streamed live on his YouTube channel, giving others the chance to watch from afar.
Russian state media gave sparse coverage of the funeral.
The coffin containing the remains of Navalny was carried into the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God Soothe My Sorrows by four pallbearers for the funeral ceremony as some outside chanted,”Navalny, Navalny!”
Western diplomats, including U.S. Ambassador Lynn Tracy, were among those who attended, along with presidential hopefuls Boris Nadezhdin and Yekaterina Duntsova.
Both wanted to run against Putin in the upcoming presidential elections and opposed his war in Ukraine; neither was allowed on the ballot.
A photo from inside the church showed an open casket with Navalny’s body covered with red and white flowers, and his mother sitting beside it holding a candle.
Navalny’s father, Anatoly Navalny, was also present, but his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, was not present.
Two days ago, Navalnaya addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Navalny’s daughter is a student at the Stanford University, and the whereabouts of his son are unknown.
Following the service, his coffin was again carried out of the church to applause and more chanting from the crowds as the short journey to the Borisovskoye Cemetery was made, ahead of his interment.
At least some of the many hundreds of mourners who converged at the cemetery were allowed into the burial site to pay their respects to the opposition leader.
Navalny’s coffin was lowered into the ground to the sound of “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.
Navalny’s burial followed a battle with authorities over the release of his body.
His supporters said that several churches in Moscow refused to hold the service for him. They also struggled to find a hearse.
Navalnaya Eulogizes Late Husband
In her first comment on the day of her late husband’s funeral, Yulia Navalnaya posted a video captioned, “Lyosha [a nickname for Alexei Navalny], thank you for 26 years of absolute happiness.”
“Yes, even for the happiness over the last three years. For love, for always supporting me, for making me laugh even from prison, for the fact that you always thought about me,” she added.
“I don’t know how to live without you, but I will try to make you up there happy for me and proud of me. I don’t know if I can handle this or not, but I will try.”
Yulia Navalnaya
A number of European leaders commemorated Navalny with tributes on social media.
The European Union’s foreign policy Chief, Josep Borrell expressed condolences to Navalny’s family and friends.
He disclosed that the EU Ambassador to Russia is among several European diplomats attending the funeral.
“Navalny’s beliefs will not disappear – ideas cannot be tortured, poisoned or killed. He remains an inspiration for many in Russia and beyond,” he added.
British Foreign Minister, David Cameron also posted, “Putin tried to silence Alexei Navalny but the world was watching.”
Cameron added, “On the day of his funeral, we remember his spirit of defiance in the face of brutality from the Russian regime, and his courage in standing up to corruption. We must continue to hold Russia to account.”
READ ALSO: Russia To Bid Navalny Goodbye
