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