Navalny sent to solitary confinement for the eighth time

Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny, currently serving time in the Vladimir region’s Melekhovo penitentiary, has been sent to solitary confinement for the eighth time, Telegram channel Sirena, created by his associates, reports.

This time, the reason for the punishment was “uniform violation”.

According to Sirena, this information became known during a court hearing on the legitimacy of the prisoner trade union Promzona, created by Navalny months ago.

“Your honour, since our first memorable court hearing, I’ve not been let out of solitary confinement. I can share the exclusive information with you about the fact that literally 20 minutes ago, before this court hearing, I was [told I had been] put in solitary confinement again, for 11 more days. This showcases the situation very well, [what happens] to any convict who just attempts to involve himself in the business [that relates to] where the Federal Penitentiary Service’s money is stored, the service’s corruption, different hustles, commercial schemes,” Navalny said during the hearing.

Yesterday, 30 November, Navalny’s wife Yulia said that her letters were no longer being given to him.

The first time Navalny said he had been sent to solitary confinement was on 15 August. According to him, that was punishment for “regularly unbuttoning the top button of his prison robe” while in the industrial zone. The second time was on 24 August — for “3 seconds of hands not behind his back”.

The third time was on 30 August, the morning after he was released from his previous stint in solitary confinement. The fourth time was on 7 September, for 15 days.

The fifth time was on 23 September, for “speaking out against mobilisation” during a court session. The sixth time was on 11 October, for “refusing to wash a fence”.

The seventh time was on 1 November, for “sweeping the exercise yard poorly”.