In Letter Heavy With Irony, Navalny Describes Transfer to Arctic Prison
The Russian opposition leader Aleksei A. Navalny, who disappeared on Dec. 5, confirmed in his letter that he had been transferred to a penal colony in the Arctic.
Navalny's Arduous Transfer to Arctic Prison
Russia's opposition leader, Aleksei A. Navalny, published a letter in which he described his difficult journey to his new penal colony in the Arctic. This letter is the first communication from Navalny since his disappearance three weeks ago.
Navalny's comments in the letter were filled with irony and humor, aiming to alleviate concerns among his allies, who were worried about his well-being and status. The sudden disappearance of Navalny on December 5 raised anxieties and speculations about his health.
Navalny's humorous tone in the letter was evident when he referred to himself as 'your new Father Frost,' which is the Russian version of Santa Claus. He jokingly mentioned his attire, including a sheepskin coat, a hat with earflaps, and the anticipation of receiving felt boots. Additionally, he humorously mentioned that he had grown a beard during his 20-day transit. However, he emphasized that the most important aspect was that he now resides above the Arctic Circle.
Unnotified Transfer Raises Concerns
Although Navalny's transfer to one of Russia's high-security 'special regime' penal colonies was expected, his lawyers and allies were not informed in advance, leading to fears and speculations about his well-being. The inability of his legal team to contact him added to the concerns.
With Navalny's ability to send out a letter from his new prison, it is apparent that he will continue to play a significant role in Russia's public life. This is particularly relevant as the country approaches another presidential election, where Vladimir Putin is expected to secure another term with limited opposition.
Navalny has been in custody since his detention in January 2021, following his return to Moscow from Germany, where he had been recovering from a nerve agent poisoning. He, along with Western governments, has accused the Kremlin of being responsible for the poisoning, a claim that Russian officials deny.
Life in the Arctic Penal Colony
Navalny's new penal colony, located in Kharp, is one of the most remote in Russia. Formerly a Gulag labor camp, it is known as the 'Polar Wolf' colony and is surrounded by tundra and polar mountains. The extreme climate brings freezing dark winters and brisk summers with clouds of mosquitoes.
In his letter, Navalny shared his observations about the prison guards in the Arctic penal colony. He noted that they were different from their counterparts in central Russia, clad in warm mittens and felt boots, carrying machine guns, and accompanied by 'very beautiful fluffy shepherd dogs.'
Although he had not yet explored much of his new surroundings, Navalny mentioned the existence of amenities such as a library with 8,000 books, a shop, a church, and a prisoner cook who enjoys making large cakes. The journey to the Arctic prison from Moscow takes over 40 hours on a train, and Navalny described his own complex 20-day journey through the Russian prison system before arriving at Kharp.
