Mourners brave arrest to attend Navalny’s funeral

The funeral of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is due to take place in Moscow on Friday, with mourners braving the risk of arrest to come and pay their respects.

The ceremony comes two weeks after Navalny died in an Arctic prison -- a death that his supporters have blamed on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin, who famously never pronounced Navalny’s name in public, has not commented on the death, which sparked outrage among Western leaders and the Russian opposition.

Authorities have not said how they will handle the event, which could turn into an embarrassing show of support for Navalny.

Under grey skies, dozens of mourners were waiting near the Mother of God Quench My Sorrows church in Maryino, where the service is scheduled to start at 2pm (1100 GMT).

“We just don’t have any more politicians like him,” said Maria, a 55-year-old librarian, adding she was both “afraid and sad”.

“I don’t see anything illegal in coming to say goodbye to a great man,” said Maxim, a 43-year-old IT specialist.

Fences had been put up around the church, but the passage was left open.

In line with Orthodox practices, Navalny’s body will be displayed in an open casket.

The burial is set to take place at the Borisovo cemetery, a short walk from the banks of the Moskva River.

Dozens of law enforcement vehicles and some anti-riot police trucks were parked near the cemetery ahead of the ceremony.

An AFP journalist saw police officers holding helmets and tear gas canisters patrolling the area, including in the nearby subway stations.