Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny disappears from prison

Where is Alexey Navalny?

The situation of the imprisoned Russian opposition leader have become a major concern.

His whereabouts remain a mystery since his legal team has been unable to locate him.

Jailed Russian opposition leader and Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny didn't appear in court for a now-postponed trial and his lawyers have not been able to contact him for at least 7 days. His disappearance coincides with the Russian election season. https://t.co/gQ76J0Oydz

— Axios (@axios) December 12, 2023

Mr. Navalny’s scheduled appearance via video link was cancelled without explanation, adding to the confusion and tension.

Navalny’s absence was made more visible by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that he would run for another term in elections scheduled for March 2024. This could extend his mandate until 2030, or even longer. Navalny represents a political threat to Putin, as he has opposed his regime for years by organizing protests against the government and exposing allegations of Kremlin corruption.

The United States, in particular, has expressed deep concern over Navalny’s disappearance.

The White House called for Mr. Navalny’s immediate release and considered his imprisonment illegitimate.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected these concerns. He pointed out that Mr. Navalny was serving a legal sentence under Russian law for the crimes of which he had been convicted.

Mr. Peskov also stated that the Kremlin had neither the intention nor the ability to monitor the status and movements of prisoners.

Mr. Navalny’s trial, originally scheduled to begin earlier this week, has been postponed.

The international community is watching closely for any sign of Navalny… and the Kremlin’s next moves.