Jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has been transferred to a penal colony in the Arctic region of northern Russia, according to his spokeswoman. This move comes after his supporters lost contact with him for over two weeks.
Navalny was located at the IK-3 penal colony in Kharp in the Yamal-Nenets region, which is approximately 1,900 km (1200 miles) northeast of Moscow, said spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh. His lawyer was able to visit him on Monday, Yarmysh added.
Navalny’s allies, anticipating his transfer to a “special regime” colony, the strictest grade in Russia’s prison system, expressed concern when his lawyers had not seen him since Dec. 6. They raised the alarm about his fate.
“Many thanks to our supporters, activists, journalists, and the media who are concerned about Alexei’s fate and who continue to report on the situation,” said Navalny’s lawyer, Ivan Zhdanov. Zhdanov mentioned that supporters had sent 618 requests for information about Navalny’s location. He had previously been held at a penal colony 235 km (145 miles) east of Moscow.
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
