Russian government critic Alexej Navalny, who has been in prison since 2021, has been transferred to another penal colony. It is not yet known where exactly he was taken. His lawyer spoke of “strict conditions” and that the transfer had to do with the recent verdict against the 46-year-old.
According to her own statement, his confidant Maria Pewchich does not know exactly where Alexey Navalny was taken. She wrote on Twitter that the Kremlin critic had failed to show up for a scheduled meeting with his lawyers. The 46-year-old was previously housed in the penal colony in Pokrov, about 100 kilometers from Moscow.
Convicted of embezzlement and fraud
This is considered one of the most difficult colonies in Russia, although the new prison also has “strict conditions”, according to one of Navalny’s lawyers. According to her, the transfer has to do with the recent verdict against Navalny. In May, a court increased the opposition leader’s jail term to nine years. The government critic had previously been convicted of embezzling donations to his political organizations. In addition, Navalny has already been convicted of fraud. He himself rejects all allegations and considers them politically motivated.
“Until we know where Alexei is, he will stand alone against a system that has already tried to kill him,” spokeswoman Kira Jarmysch wrote on Telegram. A little later, she announced on Twitter that Navalny may have been taken to the IK-6 Melekhovo camp. A confirmation is still pending. The main task now is to locate him.
Poisoned in Russia
According to Jarmysch, neither Navalny himself, nor his lawyers or his family have been informed of the transfer. Alexej Navalny was arrested in January 2021 on his return from Germany at Moscow airport. He had previously been treated in Berlin for poisoning received in Russia. Navalny suspects an assassination attempt and blames Russian President Vladimir Putin.
While in prison, he called on the Russian people to protest the war in Ukraine, despite the risk of being arrested. “At least let us not become a nation of frightened silent people. By cowards who pretend not to notice the aggressive war against Ukraine unleashed by our clearly insane czar,” Navalny wrote a few months ago. Thousands of people have already been arrested at anti-war demonstrations in Russia.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
