INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Kremlin is working to suppress memorials for the late opposition figure Alexei Navalny in a bid to prevent his death from spoiling
censorship to prevent acts of mourning from turning into political protests, sources in the Russian government, parliament and close to the
Kremlin told The Moscow Times."The presidential administration and Federal Security Service officials discussed a plan on how to prevent the
spread of a public campaign in support of Navalny," a Russian government official told The Moscow Times.Like the other sources interviewed
presidential election quickly approaching, the authorities are determined to stamp out any public unrest that could overshadow the vote or
have a presidential election coming up
We don't need this because it will be a problem for the boss [Putin]," a Russian government official told The Moscow Times.The official said
past decade, died in an Arctic penal colony, his supporters and sympathizers have paid tribute with makeshift memorials in nearly 200 cities
platform have reportedly been blocked from leaving comments on monuments to victims of political repression on its maps
Russians have used this feature to voice dissent amid a near-total ban on protests and media censorship in recent years.The penal colony and
morgue in the polar Yamal-Nenets autonomous district have refused to grant Navalny's family and lawyers access to his body or even disclose
being held in prison, his body was likely taken to an unknown location just before his mother and lawyers arrived to see it.A motorcade
believed to be transporting Navalny's body was spotted driving down the only land crossing from the village of Labytnangi toward Salekhard,
the regional capital.The Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, told Navalny's mother on Monday that it had extended the
handed over to relatives, with nearly 55,000 people signing an online appeal created by the OVD-Info civil rights group.Reaction of the
elitesWhile Russian officials and propagandists have publicly blamed Western governments for Navalny's death, in private conversation, many
exchange thoughts about what happened with Navalny in our very narrow circle
But we don't even discuss it with our colleagues
It has literally become dangerous," one official said."Most people just feel indifferent
There are very few empathetic takes
And some have even gloated," a source close to the lower-house State Duma leadership told The Moscow Times when asked to describe the
Navalny.Businessmen from large and medium-sized firms told The Moscow Times they felt "dejection" and "grief," while others said that
of The Moscow Times' sources in and close to the Kremlin said they were confident the pressure on mourners would dissuade people from
The most ardent activists will be detained
But he was the only alternative, and he doesn't exist anymore," said a source close to the State Duma leadership.Oleg Ignatov, a senior
Even in prison, he remained the leader of the opposition
