President Vladimir Putin joined mourners on Thursday to bid farewell to Irina Podnosova, Russia’s Supreme Court chief and his former law school classmate, who passed away earlier this week at age 71.
Appearing solemn and reflective, Putin sat beside Podnosova’s family at a Moscow hospital where her open casket was displayed, guarded by an honour guard as mourners paid their respects. He placed a bouquet of red flowers at the foot of her coffin, made the sign of the cross, bowed his head, and spoke quietly with her loved ones.
Putin, 72, and Podnosova studied law together in the 1970s in Leningrad—now St. Petersburg—before he began his career in the KGB. Over the years, she became one of several close associates from that period whom he later elevated to prominent roles in government and the judiciary.
Appointed just over a year ago as chair of the Supreme Court, Podnosova reportedly died of cancer, according to media reports.
reuters/s.s