Despite government attempts to limit the visibility of Aleksej Navalnyj's funeral in Moscow, thousands gathered, defying police presence to bid farewell to the Kremlin's most feared critic.

The service, eventually held at the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God Soothe My Sorrows, saw minimal promotion and faced obstacles from authorities, including a refusal to release Navalnyj's body to his family until shortly before the ceremony.

Amidst heavy security, including riot police and barricades, at least seven individuals were arrested.

Navalnyj, a lawyer, blogger, and anti-corruption activist known for his outspoken criticism of President Putin, died under mysterious circumstances in a Siberian prison colony at the age of 47.