US Expresses Relief Over Alexei Navalny’s Discovery, Raises Concerns for His Well-Being
Washington: The United States has shown relief over the reports on Monday confirming the location of jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny. However, the US State Department remains deeply concerned about his well-being and continues to call for his immediate release. Navalny’s spokeswoman announced on Monday that he had been traced to a penal colony situated north of the Arctic Circle. This revelation came after his supporters lost contact with him for over two weeks.
Navalny’s allies had been anticipating his transfer to a “special regime” colony, which represents the harshest level within Russia’s prison system. Earlier, his lawyers raised alarm as they had not seen him since December 6. The US State Department spokesperson emphasized that while they welcome reports of Navalny being found, they maintain apprehension regarding his unjust detention and the conditions he is facing. They have conveyed to the Russian government their responsibility for Navalny’s well-being while in custody.
The State Department has called for Navalny’s immediate release and accused Russia of suppressing independent voices within the country. In response, Russia denies any crackdown on dissenting voices. Navalny, aged 47, was located at the IK-3 penal colony in Kharp, situated in the Yamal-Nenets region about 1,900 km (1,200 miles) northeast of Moscow, according to his spokeswoman, Kira Yarmysh. Known as “the Polar Wolf” colony, Navalny’s new place of confinement is notorious for its stringent conditions.
Russia labels Navalny as a convicted criminal, while he denies all charges and portrays the country’s judicial system as deeply corrupt. His followers consider him a potential future leader of Russia, but Russian authorities label him and his supporters as extremists with ties to the CIA, alleging their intent to destabilize the nation.
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