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Russian authorities have told the mother of Alexei Navalny, the country’s most prominent political dissident, that he will be buried in the penal colony where he died unless she agrees to a private funeral without public mourning within three hours.

Navalny, who had been a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin and survived a poisoning attempt in 2020, passed away suddenly last week in an Arctic penal colony where he was serving more than 30 years in sentences. His mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, has been adamant about holding a public funeral to honor her son and allow friends, family, and supporters to pay their respects.

Kira Yarmysh, Navalny’s spokeswoman, detailed the ultimatum given to Navalny’s mother on X, stating, “An hour ago, an investigator called Alexei’s mother and gave her an ultimatum. Either she agrees within three hours to a secret funeral without a public farewell, or Alexei will be buried in the penal colony.”

The Kremlin has not commented on news of this development. More to come.