Kremlin critic Navalny's Instagram account confirms he is being held in a prison camp

[Jonah Ide]

Source: Reuters

MARCH 15, 2021, 12:24 PM

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny’s Instagram account confirmed on Monday that the jailed opposition politician is being held in a prison camp in Russia’s Vladimir region northeast of Moscow known for its strict regime.

Navalny’s precise location had been unknown after his legal team said last week that he had been moved from the nearby Kolchugino jail and that they had not been told where he was being taken.

Navalny, 44, one of President Vladimir Putin’s most prominent critics, was jailed earlier this year for parole violations in a decision that the West has condemned as politically motivated.

His Instagram account said he was being held in a heightened security section of the prison camp.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-politics-navalny/kremlin-critic-navalnys-instagram-account-confirms-he-is-being-held-in-a-prison-camp-in-vladimir-region-idUSKBN2B71V7

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I wouldn't have come back from Germany. Never. This guy has titanium balls!

[Bayard]

1. I can't figure out why he came back either

Dude--they almost killed you!

Wonder if he has family they were threatening if he didn't come back.

[Karma13612]

2. Either that

Or he feels he needs to do this if they ever hope to see things improve in Russia.

Another Nelson Mandela?

[Ford_Prefect]

3. He has more credibility and immediate impact if he's there, no matter the personal risk.

Despite the optics Putin and the oligarchs don't control as much of Russia as it seems at times. Yes they are in charge and have a terror system to attack their critics. It seems not everyone is happy about that, including those who imagine a different set of leaders running the show, if only to spread the benefits further or to another political cabal.

Russia on one level is somewhat like medieval Europe or pre-Mao China with regional warlords or similarly powerful individuals who account themselves as local powers if not more than that. Putin and his pals are running the show for now, and certainly have more to say about that. Between the voters and the regional powers he can be resisted or even dethroned. A significant portion of Putin's domestic authority depends on everyone going along as if there's no other choice. Enough resistance or chaos in the right sector and he's replaced by the next model. Some things in Russia haven't changed much since before Lenin and Stalin, at least that's my view of it.

[Bayard]

4. Very informative

Thanks!

[Karma13612]

5. A very thoughtful response.

Thank you!