More than 400 people have been detained in Russia while mourning opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who officials said died in prison last week, according to a rights group that monitors political arrests.
Russian officials announced on Friday that Navalny — who was serving a 19-year sentence on extremism charges — died in the prison facility above the Arctic Circle on the Yamal Peninsula, where he was transferred in December. News of his death sparked demonstrations around the world and in Russia, where many hoped that the longtime critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin could take him on in the future.
The OVD-Info rights group, which monitors political arrests and hands out legal aid, said 401 people have been detained across three dozen cities in Russia by Saturday night, according to a tracker on its website. The group said more than 200 of those arrests were made in Russia’s second-largest city, St. Petersburg, according to AP.
Grigory Mikhnov-Voitenko, a priest of the Apostolic Orthodox Church, was among those arrested in St. Petersburg, according to the group. He had previously announced plans to hold a memorial service for Navalny and was arrested Saturday morning outside his home, The Associated Press reported.
The group noted the priest had a stroke and was later hospitalized after his arrest. The AP reported that 42 of those detained on Friday in St. Petersburg were ordered to serve one to six days in jail, while nine others were fined, according to court officials.
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Over 400 people detained in Russia while mourning Navalny https://t.co/BFWitBr9RH pic.twitter.com/Q8lT4f7yyW
— The Hill (@thehill) February 18, 2024
People ask me how Russians are feeling. Here's my answer: this is what happened to a young woman who tried to put flowers at a makeshift memorial for Navalny. Russians either support Putin and those who don't are scared to say anything. Because this is what happens. https://t.co/p6RZxXi5wg
— Julia Ioffe (@juliaioffe) February 17, 2024
As Muscovites lay flowers in memory of Alexei Navalny riot police moved in. A woman shouted: "We have the right to stand here & we will!" Another cried: "This street isn't yours. It belongs to everyone!" Our latest report from Moscow. Thanks @AntonChicherov @BenTavener #Navalny pic.twitter.com/AAfrx1jNEO
— Steve Rosenberg (@BBCSteveR) February 17, 2024
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