Alexei Navalny's body returned by Russia to his mother

The body of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was returned to his mother, according to a statement from his spokesperson on Saturday. 

"Alexei's body was given to his mother," Navalny’s spokesperson, Kira Yarmys wrote on the social media platform, X.  "Thank you very much to everyone who demanded this with us.

“While Lyudmila Ivanovna is in Salekhard. The funeral is yet to come. We don’t know whether the authorities will interfere with carrying them out the way the family wants and as Alexey deserves. We will provide information as it becomes available."

Navalny was serving a 19-year sentence on extremism charges. He was found dead earlier this month.

In December he was moved from his former prison to a “special regime” penal colony – the highest security level of prisons in Russia – located above the Arctic Circle.

Navalny's widow claims that he was poisoned with a nerve agent by President Vladimir Putin’s regime.

The Kremlin has denied involvement in Navalny's death.