The body of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny has been handed over to his mother, his spokesperson and an aide announced. Navalny's spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, expressed gratitude to those who supported the demands for his body to be returned. The details regarding the funeral arrangements are pending, and it remains uncertain if authorities will play a role.

Director of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, Ivan Zhdanov, confirmed the news on his Telegram account, recognizing the collective effort in urging Russian authorities to release the body. Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, had earlier appealed for the return of his body for burial and accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of disrespecting Orthodox Christian beliefs and mistreating Navalny's remains.

Navalny, who was a prominent opposition voice in Russia, passed away on February 16 in a maximum-security Arctic penal colony while serving a 19-year sentence on extremism charges. Despite widespread condemnation from global leaders, Russia has denied any responsibility for his death. The Kremlin spokesperson dismissed allegations as baseless accusations against the Russian state.

Navalny's mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, revealed that Russian investigators had pressured her to hold a private burial without mourners. She is currently in the Arctic region demanding the proper release of her son's body. Navalny's aides alleged that authorities had threatened to bury him in the prison colony unless the family accepted certain conditions, which his mother has refused.