Alexei Navalny's body handed over to his mother, says spokeswoman

Kira Yarmysh said she did not know if the authorities would allow a funeral to be held "the way the family wants and the way Alexei deserves".

Flowers, lights and portraits sit at the memorial site for Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. 

Credit: Reuters Photo 

The body of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died suddenly and unexpectedly in prison last week, has been handed over to his mother, his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh wrote on the social media platform X on Saturday.

Yarmysh said she did not know if the authorities would allow a funeral to be held "the way the family wants and the way Alexei deserves".