Current:Home > BackThe imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny resurfaces with darkly humorous comments-LoTradeCoin
The imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny resurfaces with darkly humorous comments
View Date:2024-12-23 20:34:00
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Tuesday released a sardonic statement about his transfer to a Arctic prison colony nicknamed the “Polar Wolf,” his first appearance since associates lost contact with him three weeks ago.
Navalny, the most prominent and persistent domestic foe of President Vladimir Putin, is serving a 19-year sentence on an extremism conviction. He had been incarcerated in central Russia’s Vladimir region, about 230 kilometers (140 miles) east of Moscow, but supporters said he couldn’t be found beginning on Dec. 6.
They said Monday that he had been traced to a prison colony infamous for severe conditions in the Yamalo-Nenets region, about 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of Moscow.
“I am your new Santa Claus,” Navalny said in a tweet, referring to his location above the Arctic Circle in the prison in the town of Kharp.
The region is notorious for long and severe winters. The town is about 100 kilometers (60 miles) from Vorkuta, whose coal mines were among the harshest of the Soviet Gulag prison-camp system.
Navalny, who is noted for sharply humorous comments, said he was in a good mood after being transported to the new prison, but suggested the northern winter darkness is discouraging: “I don’t say ‘Ho-ho-ho,’ but I do say ‘Oh-oh-oh’ when I look out of the window, where I can see night, then the evening, and then the night again.”
Prisoner transfers in Russia often result in contact with inmates being lost for weeks. Navalny’s supporters contend the transfer was arranged to keep Navalny out of sight amid Putin’s announcement that he will run for another term as president in the March election.
Navalny has been behind bars in Russia since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from nerve agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin. Before his arrest, he campaigned against official corruption and organized major anti-Kremlin protests.
He has since received three prison terms and spent months in isolation in Penal Colony No. 6 for alleged minor infractions. He has rejected all charges against him as politically motivated.
veryGood! (32562)
Related
- Ashton Jeanty stats: How many rushing yards did Boise State Heisman hopeful have vs Nevada
- This Colorado 'solar garden' is literally a farm under solar panels
- This $20 Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet Has 52,000+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews
- Why Christmas trees may be harder to find this year (and what you can do about it)
- Florida State can't afford to fire Mike Norvell -- and can't afford to keep him
- Woman and child die after falling from ferry in Baltic Sea; murder inquiry launched
- Fighting Fires and Family Secrets
- Bow Down to Zendaya and Tom Holland’s Intimate Palace Date
- Lost luggage? This new Apple feature will let you tell the airline exactly where it is.
- The exact link between tornadoes and climate change is hard to draw. Here's why
Ranking
- Bridgerton's Luke Newton Details His Physical Transformation for Season 3's Leading Role
- Perfect Match Star Savannah Palacio Shares Her Practical Coachella Essentials
- Get a Perfect Eyeliner Wing With Zero Effort When You Use This Stamp That Has 20,000+ 5-Star Reviews
- The Personal Reason Why Taraji P. Henson Is So Open About Her Mental Health
- Brianna LaPaglia Addresses Zach Bryan's Deafening Silence After Emotional Abuse Allegations
- Shoppers Have Compared Results From These TikTok-Famous Wrinkle Patches to Botox
- Palestinians in occupied West Bank say Israel bombing innocent people in raid on Jenin refugee camp
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: This $360 Backpack Is on Sale for $89 and It Comes in 6 Colors
Recommendation
-
Horoscopes Today, November 13, 2024
-
A climate change disaster led this shy 24-year-old from Uganda into activism
-
U.S. Treasury chief Janet Yellen pushes China over punitive actions against American businesses
-
Olivia Culpo and NFL Player Christian McCaffrey Are Engaged
-
Denver district attorney is investigating the leak of voting passwords in Colorado
-
Why Bachelor Nation's Tayshia Adams and Summer House's Luke Gulbranson Are Sparking Dating Rumors
-
Jeremy Renner Enjoys Family Trip to Six Flags Amusement Park 3 Months After Snowplow Accident
-
Bodies of Lotus Band Member Chuck Morris and His 20-Year-Old Son Recovered 3 Weeks After Disappearance