Bishop Arrested While Preparing to Conduct Navalny's Memorial Service: Church's Response

In St. Petersburg, a memorial service for Alexei Navalny has taken place near the Solovetsky Stone. At least seven people were arrested, according to Boomaga and reported by meduza.io.

It was previously reported that Bishop Grigory Mikhnov-Vaitenko of the Russian Orthodox Church was arrested while preparing to conduct the service. As a result, the memorial was performed by another priest of the Apostolic Orthodox Church.

Almost immediately, police officers arrived at the Solovetsky Stone, dispersing the gathered crowd and arresting at least seven individuals. People continue to bring flowers to the memorial site.

The St. Petersburg diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church has issued a statement indicating that Grigory Mikhnov-Vaitenko does not serve in the Russian Orthodox Church and has urged the public to "ignore any of his statements and calls made in public spaces."