Yarmysh, however, expressed uncertainty on X regarding whether Russian authorities would allow the family to hold a funeral "the way the family wants and the way Alexei deserves."
Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny passed away in a penal colony on February 16.
Despite the family's persistent efforts, investigators kept the body withheld for eight days, trying to pressure Navalny's mother, Lyudmila, into agreeing to a private burial.
She refused, despite facing threats from investigative officials who insisted on burying Navalny within the confines of the penal colony unless she complied, citing the urgency due to the decomposition of his body.
Her refusal garnered support from various Russian figures, intellectuals, and opposition politicians who advocated for the release of Navalny's body to his family.
Kira Yarmysh announced the handover of Navalny's body to his mother on Saturday, noting that Lyudmila Navalnaya was currently in Salekhard, with the funeral arrangements pending.
Prior to the body's release, Navalny's widow Yulia released a video condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin for allegedly "torturing" her husband's corpse and obstructing its release to the family.
She pledged to persist in the fight against Putin's regime, accusing him of holding her husband's body "hostage."
Navalny’s widow emphasized her husband's devout Christian faith, highlighting his attendance at church and observance of Lent even during his imprisonment, asserting that his political activism was rooted in Christian values.
(ał)
Source: IAR, Reuters
