Mourners protest and lay flowers for ‘murdered’ Alexei Navalny

Mourners have gathered all over the world to commemorate late Putin critic Alexei Navalny, who died out of the blue on Friday on the penal camp the place he was being held in northern Russia.

The Russian opposition chief’s loss of life – simply weeks after being moved to the brutal camp in Kharp – has shocked the world and seen criticism lobbied at Russia, who Navalny’s supporters maintain liable for his premature loss of life aged 47.

In a number of Russian cities, authorities have clamped down on protests and vigils, pictured dragging supporters away from makeshift memorials. Masked police had been seen taking away mourners at a monument for victims of Soviet repression in Moscow – with some 177 individuals detained in Russia to date.

But in Britain, Japan, the United States and Finland, Navalny’s following turned out to point out their assist, lay flowers and condemn Putin for what they consider was a state-sanctioned homicide.

In London, mourners left floral tributes for Navalny outdoors the Russian Embassy this morning. Images from Bayswater Road confirmed a big assortment of flowers, banners and indicators praising Navalny for his anti-corruption work – and criticising Putin.

An picture of Navalny was projected onto the Russian Embassy by activist group Led By Donkeys late on Friday as supporters hung banners and carried indicators that learn ‘Putin is a warfare legal’ and ‘You can kill Navalny however not the opposition. We are right here.’

In Tokyo, marchers carried indicators in English and Russian that learn ‘Russia with out Putin’, ‘Putin is a killer’ and ‘Love is stronger than worry. We do not surrender’. Others held up photos of the late politician and referred to as for an finish to Putin’s regime as Russia heads for its presidential elections in March.

More gathered to go away floral tributes close to the Russian Orthodox Church in Tokyo on Saturday morning.

Hundreds of flowers and dozens of candles may very well be seen on the monument for victims of Soviet repression in Moscow and extra flowers may very well be seen left within the snow on close by pavements.

‘Alexei Navalny’s loss of life is the worst factor that would occur to Russia,’ learn a word left among the many flowers and Navalny photographs by the monument.

‘We is not going to overlook, we is not going to forgive. Those accountable will probably be punished!’ the word mentioned.

‘You is not going to kill freedom,’ learn one other handwritten word, whereas a 3rd mentioned: ‘We won’t ever surrender! Russia will probably be free!’

One word addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned: ‘Who’s subsequent?’

In Helsinki, Finland – which just lately joined NATO in April final yr amid fears Russia is transferring nearer to western Europe with its devastating warfare in Ukraine – protestors left indicators in Russian and English urging the opposition not to surrender.

Candles and floral tributes had been additionally left within the snow in entrance of the Russian Embassy in Finland on Saturday morning.

One signal alleged: ‘Russia’s Putin killed Alexey Navalny.’

The Kremlin has denied involvement within the loss of life of the previous lawyer, however Navalny’s staff has alleged foul play by the Russian state.

Alexei Navalny’s spokesperson this morning confirmed the Russian opposition chief had died and mentioned that his physique is with investigators. Kira Yarmysh demanded that the physique be instantly handed over the his household.

A doc given to his mom claimed he died at 14:17 native time on February 16.

Navalny, who was serving a 19-year sentence on costs of ‘extremism’, had solely just lately been moved from his former jail within the Vladimir area of central Russia to a grizzly ‘particular regime’ penal colony above the Arctic Circle.

The Federal Prison Service mentioned in an announcement on Friday that Navalny, 47, felt unwell after a stroll and ‘virtually instantly misplaced consciousness’. Paramedics reportedly got here to attempt to rehabilitate him with out success. 

His allies, a courageous minority in Russia preventing corruption, mentioned on the time they feared for his life after he ‘disappeared’ in December to journey to the distant area infamous for its lengthy and extreme winters – simply months earlier than the closely-watched Russian presidential elections subsequent month.

Almost instantly, supporters worldwide gathered to pay their respects and criticise the Russian authorities.

Bunches of flowers had been additionally left outdoors the Russian Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark as we speak as demonstrators gathered.

In Amsterdam, a memorial was arrange at Dam Square for supporters to go away notes, candles, flowers and even paintings of the staunch Putin critic.

And in Warsaw, Poland, demonstrators walked in a big group to voice assist for Navalny and name for Putin to be jailed. 

As distant as Mumbai, India, artwork trainer Prithviraj Kambli was photographed portray a tribute to Navalny, captioned ‘Russia’s loud voices of opposition had been silenced’.

In San Francisco, CA, protestors lit candles and left flowers at a big banner that learn ‘Free Navalny’.

A bunch gathered outdoors the City Hall late on Friday, seen holding candles and banners in assist.

One signal referred to as for Russia to free ‘all political prisoners’. 

A 2013 listing of prisoners held on political grounds suggests individuals have been detained for minor crimes and not using a truthful trial, and a few are serving ‘disproportionate’ sentences.

A big variety of Putin’s critics have additionally died in suspicious circumstances over time.

Perhaps probably the most high-profile case was the 2015 assassination of Boris Nemtsov, a liberal politician and outspoken critic of Putin.

On a chilly night time in February, round 23:30, Nemtsov was struck 4 instances with bullets from a Makarov pistol as he walked along with his girlfriend over the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge.

His Ukrainian accomplice, Anna Duritskaya, was the only witness to the assault.

Only hours earlier than the assassination, Nemtsov had spoken publicly towards Russia’s warfare in Ukraine, then a yr since Russia’s annexation of the Donbas and Crimea.

Five males from the Russian area of Chechnya had been convicted for his killing, with the gunman receiving as much as 20 years. But Nemtsov’s allies mentioned that was an try to shift blame from the federal government.

Demonstrations in Russia – the place unauthorised protest with out permission is illegitimate and punishable by as much as 5 years in jail – have been muted by harsh police crackdowns.

Moscow prosecutors issued a warning on Friday towards any unsanctioned protests following the loss of life of Navalny, who galvanised mass demonstrations towards President Vladimir Putin.

The monument to the victims of political persecution was opened by Putin in 2017.

It options giant faceless human figures and the phrase ‘Remember’ etched in 22 languages.

It is situated on Academician Sakharov Avenue, named after the late Andrei Sakharov, a Soviet physicist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate identified internationally for his human rights activism.