Whereabouts of Navalny still unclear
According to his supporters, the whereabouts of imprisoned Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny remain unclear. Navalny once again failed to appear for a court hearing via video link, his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh announced. She reiterated her statement that the 47-year-old would be transferred from the IK-6 prison camp in Melekhovo, around 240 kilometers east of Moscow.
The Russian leadership rejected questions about his whereabouts. This is a prisoner who has been found guilty under the law and is serving his sentence, said presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov. "We consider any interference by anyone, including the USA, to be unacceptable and impossible." The US government had previously expressed concerns about Navalny's well-being. It had reminded the Russian authorities that they were responsible for what was happening to Navalny, the US State Department said.
Navalny's entourage had already prepared for the fact that President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic could be transferred to a harsher prison camp. In August, Navalny was sentenced to a further 19 years in prison, in addition to the eleven and a half years he is currently serving. His lawyers have had no contact with him since Tuesday last week.
According to Navalny's colleague Lyubov Sobol, the timing of the transfer is probably linked to Putin's announcement that he will run again in the presidential election in March. "They are so afraid of Navalny ... that they have decided to cut Navalny off from the outside world as much as possible."
Navalny was convicted of extremism, among other things, his political movement was banned, close associates were imprisoned or fled abroad. Navalny rejects all accusations as politically motivated. They were aimed at silencing his criticism of Putin. It was unclear whether Navalny was already on his way to a new prison.
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Despite repeated requests, the Russian authorities have yet to provide information on Navalny's current location within the prison system. Consequently, Navalny's legal team has asked the Russian government to clarify his whereabouts and ensure his rights as a prisoner are being upheld.
Source: www.ntv.de
