The body of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny was finally given to his mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, after much public outcry and efforts by his family and supporters to retrieve it. Navalny, 47, unexpectedly passed away on February 16 in an Arctic penal colony, sparking a week-long battle for the return of his remains.

Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny's widow, accused President Vladimir Putin of attempting to force a secret funeral and pressuring Navalny's mother into agreeing to bury him in the Arctic prison. She denounced the authorities, stating that they had tortured Navalny both in life and death.

Navalny's mother had been presented with a medical certificate stating that her son died of "natural causes," while the exact circumstances of his death remain under scrutiny. Despite the return of Navalny's body, questions linger about the pending funeral arrangements and whether authorities will respect the wishes of the family.

Prominent Russians and Western nations have condemned Navalny's death and pushed for sanctions in response. Navalny's widow honored his memory on the ninth day of his passing, a significant memorial service day for Orthodox Christians. Citizens across Russia paid tribute to Navalny by gathering at churches and public monuments, with some facing detention as authorities attempted to suppress displays of support.

The Kremlin has denied any involvement in Navalny's death, dismissing accusations against Putin as baseless and insolent. The ongoing controversy surrounding Navalny's passing continues to fuel tensions within Russia and draw international attention to the treatment of political dissidents in the country.