Navalny’s whereabouts after the transfer remain unknown

In the summer of 2023, Kremlin critic Navalny was sentenced to another 19 years in prison – and he should also be transferred to another prison. Apparently this has now happened, but where Navalny is remains unknown.

Four days after it became known that he had been transferred from a prison, the whereabouts of imprisoned Russian government critic Alexei Navalny remain uncertain. Supporters of the 47-year-old said it was unclear where he was after prison authorities said he was no longer at the penal colony where he was serving his sentence. Navalny’s lawyers have not seen him since December 6th.

It is unclear whether Navalny is still on the way to a new prison. Transporting prisoners by rail across the world’s largest country can take a long time. Lawyers and relatives often do not receive information about the whereabouts and well-being of the detainees until they arrive. Navalny’s spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said lawyers had been told that Navalny left the Vladimir region, home to the IK-6 camp where he was last, on December 11. “It is not known where he was taken.”

Presidential Office: Nothing known about whereabouts

The Russian presidential office said again that nothing was known about Navalny’s whereabouts. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to a question about whether he had any information about what happened to Navalny: “No. I repeat: we do not have the ability, right or desire to follow the fate of the prisoners who are on Serve a sentence based on a court’s decision.”

Court ordered stricter ones Conditions of detention at

In August 2023, Navalny was sentenced to an additional 19 years in prison, in addition to the eleven and a half years he is currently serving. He was also ordered to be transferred to a prison with stricter conditions. Navalny was convicted, among other things, of extremism. His political movement was banned and close associates were imprisoned or fled abroad.

After a poison attack, for which he blames the Kremlin, he traveled to Germany for treatment. In January 2021, Navalny returned to Russia and was immediately arrested. The government critic rejects all allegations as politically motivated: They were aimed at silencing his criticism of President Vladimir Putin.