Connections between Putin's election strategy and Navalny's vanishing, claims ex-Russian official
Russian former minister Vladimir Milov, advisor to opposition leader Alexey Navalny, states that the disappearance of Navalny, amidst Putin's election plan, is not a mere coincidence Location of Navalny remains unknown
Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny was once again a no-show for two scheduled court hearings held via video link on Friday, his team announced. They stated that Navalny has now been missing for 17 days, and his current location is unknown.
"Today, Alexey was scheduled to have two hearings, but once again, he was not taken to the meetings," stated Navalny's team in a Telegram post. "Navalny has never been missing for this long."
Concerns for his well-being and safety have arisen due to the unprecedented length of Navalny's absence from public view.
Navalny's supporters have once again appealed for information, and are offering a cryptocurrency reward for credible and comprehensive information about his whereabouts and well-being.
When questioned last week about Navalny's absence, the Kremlin informed reporters that it has no plans or means to track the status of prisoners or their time spent in correctional facilities.
No coincidence
Vladimir Milov, an ex-Russian deputy energy minister who now advises Navalny, informed CNN's Richard Quest that the timing of Navalny's vanishing was "no accident," pointing out Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of his plan to seek re-election in Russia's 2024 elections - a decision that could potentially enable him to remain in power until at least 2030.
Milov suggested that Navalny's disappearance was a deliberate tactic, occurring at the same time as the announcement of sham presidential elections and Putin's declaration of running again. He believes this is Putin's way of intimidating and pressuring society to ensure his reelection, which he views as a form of blackmail against the opposition forces.
Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images
Alexey Navalny Fast Facts
Prior to the interview, CNN reached out to the Russian Prison Service on Friday, requesting information about Navalnys whereabouts.
Milov informed Quest on Friday that despite his attempts to locate Navalny, "there has been no response so far."
He stated that his associates would have to submit official written requests to Russian detention facilities in order to obtain information on Navalny's whereabouts, which he described as a "tedious" and "time-consuming" procedure.
Milov stated that his colleagues have been vigorously searching all the known detention institutions in Russia in an effort to locate Navalny nationwide. He also mentioned that they have received responses from some detention centers confirming that Navalny was not held in those facilities.
He said other facilities hadnt responded to the inquiries yet, adding that it was a "constant process."
