Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny Dies in Arctic Penal Colony

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, has died in a harsh Arctic penal colony where he was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism. The prison, located in the town of Kharp in the Yamalo-Nenets region, is notorious for its severe winters and is situated about 1,900 kilometers northeast of Moscow. Navalny was transferred to this prison in December 2023.

Navalny’s death comes amidst reports of harsh conditions in the penal colony, where he addressed the Supreme Court in Moscow through a video link on January 10. During the session, he described freezing temperatures, a 10-minute limit on eating, and being isolated in a tiny punishment cell for minor infractions. Navalny also alleged restrictions on the number of religious texts he could possess, citing violations of his religious rights.

The Russian opposition leader had been a prominent figure in anti-government protests and had survived a poisoning attempt in August 2020, which he blamed on the Kremlin. International leaders and human rights advocates have expressed concerns about Navalny’s treatment in prison, and his death is likely to escalate tensions between the Russian government and its critics.