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Lyudmila Navalnaya, the mother of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, is requesting the return of her son’s body for a proper burial following his sudden death in a maximum-security prison.

In an appeal shared on social media, Navalnaya directly addressed President Vladimir Putin, stating, “Let me finally see my son. Hand over Alexei’s body so I can give him a proper burial.” This plea comes after Russian authorities announced Navalny’s death and indicated a pending investigation into its cause, delaying the release of his remains to the family.

Navalny, a prominent critic of corruption and Putin’s governance, passed away “unexpectedly” last Friday, according to official reports. His family and legal representatives were later informed that the body would be withheld for a “chemical examination” spanning another 14 days, as explained by Navalny’s spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh. The circumstances surrounding Navalny’s death remain vague, with officials suggesting he became unwell after a walk, leading to unsuccessful resuscitation efforts.

The Russian government has attributed Navalny’s death to “sudden death syndrome,” a term encompassing various cardiac conditions that can lead to cardiac arrest.