Imprisoned Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny has been located in a penal colony north of the Arctic Circle, according to his spokesperson on Monday, following a period of more than two weeks during which supporters lost contact with him.
Navalny has been identified in the IK-3 penal colony in Kharp, situated in the Yamal-Nenets region, approximately 1,900 kilometers northeast of Moscow, as reported by spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh. Navalny’s lawyer managed to visit him on Monday, Yarmysh confirmed.
In a video call with Reuters TV in Vilnius, Yarmysh expressed concern about the conditions in the new facility, stating, “This prison will be much worse than the one that was before. They are trying to make his life as unbearable as it possibly can be.” She added that efforts are being made to isolate Navalny and hinder access to him.
Navalny’s allies, anticipating his transfer to a “special regime” colony, the most severe category in Russia’s prison system, raised alarms about his disappearance, noting that he hadn’t been seen by his lawyers since December 6.
Known as the “Polar Wolf” colony, Navalny’s new confinement is regarded as one of Russia’s toughest prisons, primarily housing individuals convicted of serious crimes. The location, situated about 60 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, was established in the 1960s as part of the former GULAG system of forced Soviet labor camps.
Leonid Volkov, an aide to Navalny, highlighted the harsh conditions and special regime imposed in the permafrost at the remote site, making communication with prisoners challenging.
Navalny’s lawyer, Ivan Zhdanov, disclosed that supporters had submitted 618 requests for information about his whereabouts, suggesting that Russian authorities might be isolating Navalny ahead of the March presidential election.
Held in a penal colony 235 kilometers east of Moscow, Navalny contends that his imprisonment is a response to being perceived as a threat by the Russian political elite, preventing him from participating in the election. He denies all charges and criticizes Russia’s judicial system as deeply corrupt, while Russian authorities label him a convicted criminal.
Navalny’s return to Russia in 2021 after receiving treatment in Germany for poisoning earned him admiration among the opposition. His supporters envision him as a future leader, although his level of popular support within Russia remains uncertain.
The authorities consider Navalny and his supporters as extremists with alleged links to the CIA, accusing them of seeking to destabilize Russia. Navalny’s movement has been outlawed, leading many of his followers to flee abroad.
In a recent statement, Navalny expressed concern about the poor dental care and overall health conditions of inmates in Russian prisons, attributing the issues to inadequate nutrition and a lack of proper dental care.
