Navalny’s Mom: I’ve seen his body but police are trying to block a public funeral

Lyudmila Navalnaya mourning mother of Alexei Navalny has revealed that Russian police indeed allowed her to see his body.

The Lowdown

Russian officials are allegedly attempting to blackmail Navalnaya over the death of her son. Statements released by Navalnya from outside the town of Salekhard made the shocking claims.

“They are blackmailing me, they are setting conditions where, when, and how my son should be buried,” she said, per the AP. “They want to do it secretly without a mourning ceremony.”

It comes as Russia maintains that it had nothing to do with Navalny’s death, although international foes and allies largely seem to have gathered otherwise.