Navalny’s lawyers and allies unable to contact him for weeks
Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been missing for more than two weeks after being transferred from a penal colony east of Moscow, where he was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism. His lawyers and allies have been unable to locate him or communicate with him since December 6, raising fears for his safety and well-being.
Navalny, who survived a near-fatal nerve agent attack in 2020, is widely seen as President Vladimir Putin’s most prominent critic and a potential challenger in the upcoming presidential election in March 2023. He has exposed corruption and abuses of power among Russia’s elite through his investigations and protests, which have mobilized millions of supporters across the country.
His disappearance coincides with Putin’s announcement of his intention to run for a fifth term in office, despite widespread discontent and declining popularity. Navalny’s team has launched a campaign to boycott the election or vote for another candidate, arguing that the vote will be rigged and unfair.
Navalny’s spokesperson Kira Yarmysh said that his disappearance was part of a deliberate attempt by the Kremlin to silence him and prevent his voice from being heard. She said that Navalny’s team had written to more than 200 pretrial detention centers and special prison colonies, as well as checked all detention centers in Moscow in person, in order to find him. She also said that Navalny had multiple court hearings scheduled, some of which were suspended because of his unknown location.
Navalny’s prison conditions and health raise concerns
Navalny was arrested in January 2021 upon his return to Russia from Germany, where he had been recovering from the poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin. He was sentenced to nine years in prison for violating the terms of a suspended sentence for a 2014 fraud conviction, which he and his supporters denounced as politically motivated.
In August 2021, he was found guilty of founding and funding an extremist organization, which he denied, and was given an additional 19 years to serve. He was told he would have to continue his incarceration in a “special regime colony”, a type of prison with the highest security level in the Russian penitentiary system, usually reserved for dangerous criminals, repeat offenders and those serving life sentences.
Navalny’s lawyers and human rights activists have expressed concern about his prison conditions and health, especially after his poisoning and subsequent hunger strike in April 2021, which left him in a critical condition. They said that he was denied adequate medical care and subjected to torture, harassment and isolation. They also said that he faced constant threats and pressure from prison authorities and fellow inmates, some of whom were allegedly paid to attack him.
The United Nations, the European Union, the United States and other countries have condemned Navalny’s imprisonment and called for his immediate release. They have also imposed sanctions on Russian officials and entities involved in his persecution and poisoning. The Kremlin has rejected any foreign interference and accused Navalny and his allies of being agents of the West.
Navalny’s supporters vow to continue his fight
Despite Navalny’s absence, his supporters have vowed to continue his fight for democracy and justice in Russia. They have organized online campaigns, rallies, petitions and fundraisers to raise awareness and support for his cause. They have also continued to publish his investigations and expose the corruption and lavish lifestyles of Putin and his cronies.
Navalny’s aide Leonid Volkov said that Navalny was Putin’s main opponent in the election, even though his name would not be on the ballot. He said that each one of his supporters had to become his voice and demand his freedom. He also said that Navalny’s disappearance was a sign of the Kremlin’s fear and weakness, and that it would not stop the people’s desire for change.
Navalny’s wife Yulia Navalnaya, who has been living in exile in Germany with their two children, said that she hoped to see her husband soon and that she was proud of him and his courage. She said that she was grateful for the solidarity and assistance of the international community and the Russian people. She also said that she believed in Navalny’s vision of a free and fair Russia, where everyone had equal rights and opportunities.
