The mother of the late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny is facing alleged pressure from the Kremlin to agree to a secret funeral for her son. Navalny, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, passed away suddenly in an Arctic penal colony at the age of 47. Despite denying involvement, Putin has faced strong accusations from international leaders, with US President Joe Biden pointing blame at the Russian president. Navalny's mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, is demanding compliance with the law to receive her son's body promptly, as investigators are required to hand it over within two days of establishing the cause of death. Navalnaya has been given an ultimatum to agree to a secret funeral within hours, and if not, Navalny could be buried in the penal colony. The Kremlin has not responded to these allegations, and Navalnaya had faced obstacles in accessing her son's body, including being sent to the wrong morgue and being denied entry at another. The death of Navalny and the handling of his body are seen as displays of authoritarian power by Putin, who had previously attempted to diminish Navalny's reputation while he was alive. The alleged tactics employed by the Kremlin in the aftermath of Navalny's death may have long-term implications for Putin's image. Despite the death certificate citing "natural causes," doubts remain surrounding the circumstances of Navalny's death. International reactions to Navalny's passing have varied, with Biden condemning the event as proof of Putin's brutality, while Russia's foreign minister dismissed Western responses as "hysteria." Navalny's death has sparked protests in several Russian cities, with hundreds of people being arrested. Putin's continued show of power in the wake of Navalny's death suggests a chilling message to dissidents in Russia.