Edward Lucas, journalist and commentator, warned that Putin could use the funeral to make a list of Navalny’s supporters in Russia.
He told Times Radio: “This is a chance for the Russian authorities to make a list of all the brave Navalny supporters for use later.
“It was a big public demonstration of a kind that is very rare these days in Russia.
“But I think the authorities have decided that moving in to crush it would have been more trouble than it is worth.”
Navalny was a thorn in the side of Putin for years, investigating corruption at the heart of the Kremlin and campaigning for democracy in Russia.
After surviving an alleged Kremlin-orchestrated poisoning in 2020, Navalny was jailed on ‘extremism’ charges.
Lucas says Navalny’s death has left Russia’s opposition “broken and crushed.”
He added: “I think it is important not to overestimate this. The Russian opposition is effectively broken and crushed. Putin is in total control, and the only real opposition to Putin is the armed forces of Ukraine.
“Ten or twelve years ago we saw big protests…but now that is gone. The majority of Russians either support the war or don’t want to take any risks in opposing him. That gives him free rein against Ukraine and it also gives him free rein against NATO.”
The Moscow Times reports that Putin ordered the secret service to ensure that Navalny’s funeral didn’t turn into an insurrection.
The outlet added: ”Putin demanded that the FSB prevent a rebellion over Navalny’s death.”
