Alexei Navalny’s mother launches court action demanding release of his body

Screengrab taken from video shows flowers and a portrait of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny left in tribute to him by his mother Lyudmila Navalnaya at the memorial to victims of political repression in Salekhard, Russia (AP)

The mother of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has filed a lawsuit at a court in the Arctic city of Salekhard contesting officials’ refusal to release her son’s body, Russia’s state news agency Tass has reported.

A closed-door hearing has been scheduled for March 4, the report said, quoting court officials.