Growing Concerns Surround Navalny's Absence from Recent Court Hearings
Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny's absence at another court hearing deepens concerns over his well-being, as his team has been unable to establish contact for 10 days
Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, currently imprisoned in a penal colony 150 miles east of Moscow, was absent for several court hearings on Monday, heightening concerns about his well-being. Navalny's spokesperson Kira Yarmysh stated that two hearings had already occurred without his presence, and the judge postponed the remaining hearings until Navalny's location is confirmed. This comes 10 days after his team lost contact with him.
The 47-year-old was convicted earlier this year and given a 19-year sentence for establishing an extremist community, funding extremist activities, and committing several other offenses. He was already serving a combined 11-and-a-half-year sentence in a maximum security prison for fraud and other charges, all of which he denies.
Navalny's supporters argue that his arrest and imprisonment are politically motivated efforts to suppress his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Navalny's team of lawyers made inquiries with over 200 pre-trial detention centers across the country over the weekend, according to Yarmysh. She stated, "We are waiting for answers."
The hearings at the Oktyabrsky Court in the Vladimir region were suspended by a judge until Navalny's "location is established," but Navalny's lawyer, Vyacheslav Gimadi, stated that "there are no such grounds in the law."
"The court postponed the hearings indefinitely, despite the obligation of the Federal Penitentiary Service to ensure the plaintiff's presence for justice," he said, adding the hashtag #whereisNavalny. Navalny's team stated that the Federal Penitentiary Service presented a certificate indicating that Navalny was not at penal colony IK-6. The Service's representatives claimed ignorance of the date and location of his transfer.
Mariana Katzarova, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Russia, reached out to Russian authorities on Friday following Navalny's absence at another hearing, the UN stated on Monday.
Expressing deep concern, Katzarova stated, "I am greatly concerned about the prolonged lack of information on Mr. Navalny's whereabouts and well-being by the Russian authorities, which constitutes enforced disappearance."
The scheduled court hearing on the violations of Mr. Navalny's human rights in detention did not take place, as his lawyers were informed that he is no longer held in the Vladimir region without any further details. This has raised concerns about his persistent ill-treatment in detention and lack of access to adequate medical care since January 17, 2021, resulting in further harm to his health and great risks to his life.
Navalny was being prepared for transfer to a more severe penal colony after being sentenced on August 4, 2023 to an additional 19 years on unfounded extremism charges, she stated. The transfer of detainees presents added risks to their welfare, including the risk of human rights abuses, she added.
Katzarova also mentioned that on October 13, 2023, three of Navalny's lawyers were arrested on extremism charges and now face the possibility of lengthy imprisonment.
Katzarova urged the Russian authorities to uphold their international human rights obligations. She stated that the concept of extremism has no foundation in international law, and when it results in criminal prosecution, it infringes upon human rights and should be denounced.
The Special Rapporteur emphasized the urgent need for the immediate release of Mr. Navalny and all others who have been arbitrarily detained, and for them to be provided with remedies and reparations for the harm they have endured in accordance with international human rights obligations.
