Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been relocated to a remote penal colony in the Arctic after being missing for over two weeks, according to his allies. Navalny, a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, was transferred to IK-3 in the settlement of Kharp in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, an isolated penal colony with harsh conditions, situated above the Arctic Circle. The move comes three months before Russia’s presidential vote, where Putin is expected to secure a fifth term easily. While Navalny’s lawyer visited him and reported that he is doing well, Washington condemned Moscow for its “malicious targeting” of Navalny and over 600 other political prisoners, expressing deep concern for his well-being and urging his immediate release. France also criticized Russia for “blatant violations of human rights” related to Navalny’s transfer.
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