NAVALNY'S COFFIN ARRIVES AT MOSCOW CHURCH FOR BURIAL

 Hundreds are gathering in Moscow for the funeral of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny shortly

There is a heavy police presence in the city, with masked guards stationed around a perimeter fence.

Mourners know they risk arrest by attending and showing support for a prominent government critic

A number of foreign dignitaries, including the US ambassador were seen near the church.

The Russian opposition leader died in an Arctic prison - where he had been held on politically motivated charges

Few details have been released on the cause of his death - officials say he collapsed after going for a walk

His wife alleges he was killed on the orders of President Vladimir Putin.

We're not afraid, crowds chant

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

As the hearse carrying Navalny's coffin arrived at the church, crowds outside could be heard clapping.

"You were not afraid, and we are not afraid," people chanted, as the coffin was seen being carried inside the church for the funeral service.Mourners gather in act of defiance and bravery

Vitaliy Shevchenko

BBC Monitoring

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Hundreds and possibly thousands of people have turned up to say farewell to the late Russian opposition leader.

This is an act of bravery and defiance in itself, given that hundreds were detained earlier at spontaneous memorials which appeared across Russia shortly after Alexei Navalny’s death two weeks ago.

Mourners in Moscow are aware of the possibility of being arrested and are apparently not carrying any political slogans.

There have been no reports of arrests so far.

Foreign diplomats, including the German, French and US ambassadors, have arrived at the church to pay their respects to Alexei Navalny.

Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, Pierre Levy and Lynne Tracy have been pictured near the church, dressed in black and carrying red roses.

• Share this post

  • Copy this link

  Read more about these links.Mourners gather in act of defiance and bravery

  

  Vitaliy Shevchenko

  BBC Monitoring

  

  Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

  Hundreds and possibly thousands of people have turned up to say farewell to the late Russian opposition leader.

  This is an act of bravery and defiance in itself, given that hundreds were detained earlier at spontaneous memorials which appeared across Russia shortly after Alexei Navalny’s death two weeks ago.

  Mourners in Moscow are aware of the possibility of being arrested and are apparently not carrying any political slogans.

  There have been no reports of arrests so far.

• 
  

Western ambassadors join mourners outside church

Foreign diplomats, including the German, French and US ambassadors, have arrived at the church to pay their respects to Alexei Navalny.

Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, Pierre Levy and Lynne Tracy have been pictured near the church, dressed in black and carrying red roses.

THIS AND MANY MORE UPDATES AT: Alexei Navalny funeral: Heavy police presence as people gather in Moscow - BBC News