Alexei Navalny's body handed to mother as widow sees blood on Putin's hands

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's body has been transferred to his mother, as announced by Ivan Zhdanov, the director of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation, on his Telegram account. 

Expressing gratitude to those who advocated for the return of Navalny's body, Zhdanov announced the handover.

Earlier on the same day, Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny’s widow, accused President Vladimir Putin of attempting to compel his mother into agreeing to a clandestine funeral after Navalny's demise in a penal colony. 

In a released video, Navalnaya asserted that Putin was mocking Christianity with this attempt.

Allegedly, Navalny's mother, desiring the return of her son's body, is facing pressure from authorities, who have hinted at the possibility of burying Navalny in the Arctic prison. 

Navalnaya claimed that authorities conveyed a sense of urgency due to the alleged decomposition of the body, accusing them of literal torture.

"Give us the body of my husband," pleaded Navalnaya. "You tortured him alive, and now you keep torturing him dead. You mock the remains of the dead."

The unexpected death of Navalny, Russia’s prominent opposition figure, on Feb. 16 in the penal colony, triggered spontaneous memorials across the country with flowers and candles. 

Authorities have detained numerous individuals to suppress any significant displays of sympathy for Putin's primary political rival ahead of the imminent presidential election.

Social media users speculate that officials are hesitant to return Navalny’s body, fearing public demonstrations of support.

In a poignant accusation, Navalnaya said Navalny's blood is on the hands of Putin, an Orthodox Christian. The situation remains tense as Russia grapples with the aftermath of Navalny’s death and the political implications surrounding it.