Alexei Navalny funeral: Family of Putin arch-nemesis gather to say goodbye in Moscow

The family of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arch-nemesis Alexei Navalny gathered Friday for his funeral in Moscow, weeks after his mysterious death.

Hundreds of mourners lined up around a church where Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s body would be laid to rest and broke out into chants of “Navalny! Navalny!” as the coffin was being carried inside. 

The funeral comes days after Navalny’s body was ultimately turned over to the custody of the family.

Spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh confirmed Navalny’s body has been turned over by the Russian government after days of pleading from Lyudmila Navalnaya, the late activist’s mother.

“Alexey’s body was handed over to his mother,” Yarmysh confirmed Saturday. “Many thanks to all those who demanded this with us. Lyudmila Ivanovna is still in Salekhard.”

The opposition leader was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Russia’s brutal ‘Polar Wolf’ prison. Prison officials say Navalny died on Feb. 16 of “sudden death syndrome” after collapsing following a walk.

His death sparked accusations around the world that he had been killed.

Four years ago, Navalny himself was asked what he would tell his Russian supporters if he were killed for challenging Putin.

“You’re not allowed to give up,” he told the documentary maker. “If they decide to kill me, it means we are incredibly strong and we need to use this power.”

Yulia Navalnaya has vowed to continue his work.