Thousands of Russians bowed to Alexei Navalny

Thousands of mourners gathered near the Church of the Icon of the Mother of Sorrows in Moscow to say goodbye to Alexei Navalny.
The fear of reprisals from the authorities did not prove strong enough to prevent free-thinking Russians from paying their respects to the late dissident at his funeral.
The ceremony comes two weeks after Navalny's death in an Arctic prison. His supporters accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin of killing his chief critic and of trying to prevent his dignified public burial.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned against "unregulated gatherings" during the funeral.
"Any unauthorized gatherings will be in violation of the law and those who participate in them will be held accountable," Peskov said.
Some mourners shouted "Navalni" as his coffin arrived at the Mariino church where the service will be held.
Another Russian opposition figure, Boris Nadezhdin, said Navalny's death was a tragedy not only for his family, but also for millions of other Russians.
"Today is a tragic day, because the death of Alexei is a great loss not only for his family and relatives, to whom we express our condolences, but also for a huge number of people. I think for millions of people in Russia, and not only in Russia." , Nadezhdin said.
In the crowd were the ambassadors of France and Germany, as well as some of the last free independent politicians in Russia.
"People like him should not die: honest and principled, ready to sacrifice," said one of the mourners.
On the way from the "Mariino" metro station to the temple there is a corridor of metal fences, the police checks the documents of passers-by. Internet in the area of the church is intermittent. After the funeral service, Navalny should be buried at the Borisov cemetery./BGNES