The American ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, said she gathered this Sunday in front of an improvised memorial dedicated to Russian opponent Alexeï Navalny in Moscow, while the authorities have firmly repressed any gathering of this type since the announcement of the death in prison on Friday.
“Today, at the Solovetsky Stone, we mourn the death of Alexei Navalny and other victims of political repression in Russia,” the embassy wrote on its Telegram account.
This message was accompanied by a photo of the ambassador, in front of several bouquets of flowers placed on this monument to the victims of political repression located right next to Lubyanka, the infamous headquarters of the Soviet KGB and then the Russian FSB.
“We honor his memory”
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, colleagues and supporters of Alexei Navalny.
His strength is an inspiring example.
We honor his memory,” the American embassy said.
And added: “For many Russians, Alexei Navalny was a strong voice who courageously spoke out against corrosive corruption and represented hope for political change.
For many, he symbolized the idea that life in Russia could improve.”
Сегодня у Соловецкого камня мы скорбим о смерти Алексея Навального и других жертв политических репрессий в России.
I'm going to get the most out of the world, so it's important to know that it's the most important part of the world. Алексея Навального.
Его сила - вдохновляющий пример.
But I'm sorry.
pic.twitter.com/H73fsvF8J9
— Посольство США в РФ/ US Embassy Russia (@USEmbRu) February 18, 2024
Despite severe repression and warnings, hundreds of Russians participated in small rallies in several cities to pay tribute to Alexeï Navalny, a famous critic of the Kremlin who died at the age of 47 in a prison in the Russian Arctic.
Russian authorities made more than 400 arrests on Friday and Saturday during rallies organized in 36 cities, with the majority of arrests taking place in Saint Petersburg and Moscow, according to the specialized NGO OVD-Info.
On Sunday, barriers were installed around another memorial in the Russian capital, in front of a monument called the “Wall of Mourning”, according to an AFP journalist.
Several dozen police officers stood guard, but a few people were allowed to approach the memorial to lay flowers.
In Moscow, people continue to bring flowers to the “Wall of Sorrow.”
The police are watching the arrivals.
Those who stand at the memorial for a long time are forced by security forces to leave with threats.#AlexeiNavalni #moscow #protest pic.twitter.com/7TkuXWLf54
— SOTA English (@sotavisioneng) February 17, 2024
The death of Alexeï Navalny, on which the Kremlin remains silent, provoked a wave of indignation from Western countries, many of which accuse Russia of being responsible.
Leonid Volkov, an ally of the opponent, assured Sunday that it was “not a death, but a murder”.
He called on Alexei Navalny’s supporters “not to be discouraged”.
“That’s what he expects of us now.
What he has dedicated his life to must win.
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