Russians embrace hope amid despair as Alexei Navalny says his final goodbye
Associated PressRussians have seen many images of Alexei Navalny — a firebrand protest leader with a bullhorn. “What was done to him is incredibly difficult to accept and get through it,” said Nadezhda Ivanova, a mourner who stood outside the church where Navalny’s funeral service was held. “Today we say farewell to a truly great man and see him to his final journey.” Only a select few were allowed to pay their respects inside the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God Soothe My Sorrows, where Navalny’s casket lay surrounded by candles. Crowds continued to gather at the cemetery’s gates, chanting: “Let us in to say goodbye!” Navalny’s mother and father stroked and kissed his head before the casket was finally closed and lowered into the earth. As dusk fell, the waiting crowds continued to chant: “Love is stronger than fear,” and “Putin is a killer.” Navalny had often urged Russians never to give up.