Thousands Mourn Russian Opposition Leader Navalny, Keeping Democratic Hopes Alive Despite Repression
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Thousands of Russians came out to mourn and pay respects to Alexei Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition leader, despite repression of dissenting voices.
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Supporters spoke of the hope Navalny had given them for a better, democratic future for Russia, chanting slogans against political imprisonment and war.
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The public outpouring revealed a liberal, anti-Putin Russia absent from state media's portrayal of a rabidly nationalist public embracing authoritarianism.
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With Navalny's death and other opposition figures silenced or exiled, the opposition lost its most charismatic leader ahead of an election Putin will easily win.
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But the desire for an alternative vision for Russia remains alive among supporters who see no other options despite backing Putin faute de mieux.