Alexei Navalny’s body to be held for two weeks for ‘chemical analysis’, family told

The family of Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition figure who died in a Russian prison, has reportedly been told that his body will be held for two weeks.

A spokesperson for Navalny stated that his mother was notified that the body was being retained for “chemical analysis”.

Russian authorities have not confirmed the body’s location, and attempts to locate it have been consistently rebuffed.

The wife of the deceased Russian opposition leader has accused authorities of concealing the body. In a video released on Monday, where she pledged to continue his efforts for a “free Russia”, Yulia Navalnaya directly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of her husband’s death. She also alleged that the body was being held until any traces of Novichok nerve agent poisoning had dissipated.

Navalny had previously survived an assassination attempt involving Novichok in 2020.

In an emotional and impassioned plea, Navalnaya asked viewers to stand with her and “share the rage and hatred for those responsible for taking away our future”.