Reward for Information Regarding the Whereabouts of Navalny

The team of the missing imprisoned opposition politician Navalny in Russia has offered rewards for information about his whereabouts. Navalny has been missing for over two weeks.

The team of Alexei Navalny in Russia is offering rewards in the search for the imprisoned opposition politician who has been missing for over two weeks. Navalny’s spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh.

“At the moment, we still hope that someone can provide us with information,” she said. “Usually, during prisoner transfers, other prisoners at least notice something. Often, there are also guards who see something.”

Authorities: Navalny is no longer in the penal colony

More than two weeks ago, lawyers had their last contact with the Kremlin critic in a penal colony in the Vladimir region, east of Moscow. Since then, there has been no trace of Navalny, who is internationally classified as a political prisoner.

Only the Russian authorities have stated that he is no longer in the facility. Legally, there are no restrictions on how long a transfer between two correctional facilities may take, said Yarmysh. “So, anything can happen to him during this time. He is now completely at the mercy of the people who tried to kill him three years ago,” she said. In 2020, Navalny barely survived a poisoning attack, which he attributes to the Russian intelligence agency.

Navalny’s team sees the upcoming presidential election as the reason

His team sees the impending presidential election in Russia, in which President Vladimir Putin wants to be confirmed, as the reason behind the abduction of the opposition politician.

“The Kremlin did not want Alexei to make any statements during this time. That’s why I’m sure Putin gave the order to transport Alexei somewhere,” said Yarmysh. The US and other countries are demanding clarification from Russia regarding Navalny’s whereabouts.

In August, Navalny was sentenced to an additional 19 years in prison, in addition to the 11 and a half years he is currently serving. Navalny was convicted of extremism among other charges. His political movement was banned, and close associates were imprisoned or fled abroad. Navalny dismisses all allegations as politically motivated, aimed at silencing his criticism of President Vladimir Putin. Navalny is the most prominent figure in Russia’s splintered opposition.