Navalny's death leaves despair and apathy in Moscow

People gather outside the Russian consulate, following the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, in Krakow, Poland, February 16, 2024. Jakub Porzycki/Agencja Wyborcza.pl via REUTERS

MOSCOW (Reuters) -The hundreds of flowers and candles laid in Moscow on Friday to honour the memory of Alexei Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition leader, were taken away overnight in black bags.

Russia's prison service said that Navalny, 47, fell unconscious and died on Friday after a walk at the "Polar Wolf" Arctic penal colony. Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh on Saturday confirmed his death, citing an official notice given to his mother, Lydumila.