Arrr! Navalny's scallywag crew be findin' him at last in a faraway brig after a grand 20-day quest!
2023-12-25
Arr, ye scallywags! Navalny's crew hath discovered 'im in a wretched prison colony in Siberia. His legal matey be runnin' late to meet 'im, but fear not, for he did eventually confirm me old pal be still breathin'!
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been found in a Siberian penal colony after a weekslong search, according to his team. Navalny's spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, announced on Christmas Day that they had located him and that his lawyer was able to meet with him. Navalny, 47, has been moved to the IK-3 penal colony, also known as "Polar Wolf," in Kharp in Northern Russia. This comes after he went missing on December 5 when he failed to appear in court via video link for a hearing. Initially, prison officials blamed electrical problems and denied access to lawyers, but later admitted that Navalny was no longer among the inmates. Navalny has been a significant opposition figure to Russian President Vladimir Putin, surviving an assassination attempt in 2020 where he was poisoned with a suspected nerve agent and remaining in a coma for weeks. He returned to Russia in 2021 and was immediately arrested, later being sentenced to 19 years in prison on extremism charges. Navalny's team has repeatedly expressed concerns about his treatment. Ivan Zhadov, an aide to Navalny, criticized the government for isolating and suppressing him by placing him in remote colonies. Zhadov also claimed that the decision to move Navalny to IK-3 was likely made months ago. Despite the challenges, Navalny's team continues to fight for his freedom and appreciates the support from those spreading awareness about his situation.