Russian authorities ‘extend probe into Navalny’s death’ as allies claim cover-up

Flowers and a photo of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny placed near the Russian consulate in Frankfurt, Germany (Michael Probst/AP)

The mother of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was on Monday denied access to a morgue where his body was believed to be kept after his death in an Arctic penal colony, as Mr Navalny’s allies accused authorities of trying to hide evidence.

Mr Navalny’s spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said that the Investigative Committee, the country’s top criminal investigation agency, informed Lyudmila Navalnaya that the cause of her son’s death remained unknown and that the official probe had been extended.