Russian President Vladimir Putin’s critic, Alexei Navalny, has tragically passed away after falling ill in an Arctic penal colony where he was serving a lengthy 19-year sentence. The news of his death was confirmed by Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service on Friday, sparking outrage and condemnation worldwide.
The prison where Navalny was detained is located approximately 1,900 kilometers northeast of Moscow, in the town of Kharp, within the harsh conditions of the Yamalo-Nenets region. Known for its brutal winters, Navalny was transferred here in December after being convicted of extremism.
In a rare appearance via video link from Kharp on January 10, Navalny appeared with a buzz cut, dressed in black prison attire, shedding light on the inhumane conditions he endured. He addressed the Supreme Court in Moscow, describing the severe circumstances within the jail situated above the Arctic Circle.
Navalny bravely cracked jokes about the freezing temperatures and even queried whether officials had thrown a party at his previous prison upon his transfer. He highlighted the extreme limitations imposed on inmates, such as meal times restricted to a mere ten minutes, which he deemed impossible for adequate nourishment.
“It is impossible to eat in 10 minutes. If you eat every day within 10 minutes, then this meal turns into a rather complex process,” Navalny asserted to the Supreme Court judge, as reported.
Navalny further disclosed that he was often confined to a tiny punishment cell, which remained bitterly cold. He illustrated the dire conditions by mentioning the necessity of using newspapers to stay warm while sleeping.
“To protect or cover themselves because it is much warmer to sleep with a newspaper than it is without one, I can assure you, judges. Thus, to avoid freezing, you need a newspaper,” Navalny remarked.
Additionally, Navalny alleged that prison authorities restricted his access to religious texts, violating his religious rights. Despite regulations permitting only 10 books, Navalny stressed his need for two books for religious practice, emphasizing the importance of having educational materials available in his cell.
“(The regulations) say that I am allowed to have 10 books. I need 2 books to practice my religion. One book is not enough for me, it directly violates my religious rights,” he stated.
“I want to have 10 books in my cell for education, and religious practice,” Navalny reiterated, underscoring the challenges he faced within the penal system.
The circumstances surrounding Navalny’s death have raised significant concerns and demands for accountability both within Russia and internationally, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the events leading up to his passing.
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