Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny alleges solitary confinement inside Russian jail

Alexei Navalny, a Kremlin critic, has been in jail on embezzlement charges. He said on Monday that he tried to create a labour union while in jail and has been put in solitary confinement. He and his allies say that the embezzlement charges are wrong and are politically motivated. He is serving nine years in Vladimir, a Russian town.

He said the authorities threatened to make it his permanent residence in jail if he didn't mend his attitude. Otherwise, he has to spend three days in the solitary confinement cell. He describes the cell as a place where there is no air, it is very hot, and it is a tiny kennel of concrete.


He added that he only has a book and a mug in his cell and gets a plate and spoon during meals. He said he isn't allowed any parcels, letters, or visits. Also, it is the only place inside the jail where smoking is not allowed. He said he started a one-person labour union where he sewed last week.

The stools on which the inmates work got replaced by chairs, and it was a small first-win for the labour union. However, the prison administration warned him. Navalny was serving time for violating parole on previous fraud charges for two and a half years. However, their ex extended his jail time to nine years when he was found guilty of embezzlement. He donated to political organizations, and the court even found him guilty of contempt.