Jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has broken his silence after his sudden disappearance as he confirmed rumours he had been transferred to a maximum security prison known for its brutality.
The high profile Putin critic’s whereabouts were unknown on Tuesday as he failed to attend a meeting with his lawyers at the Pokrov penal colony.
His followers were relieved when he revealed on social media he had been moved to maximum security prison IK-6 Melekhovo, about 250 km (155 miles) east of Moscow, adding he had gone from “ship to ship.”
Navalny was jailed by the Kremlin at the start of 2021 upon returning to Russia after receiving medical treatment in Germany following a poison attack with a novichok nerve agent during a visit to Siberia in 2020.
He also previously said he wants to replace Putin as president and believes he would win an election - if it was not rigged in the Kremlin leader’s favour.
He wrote: “Very outraged.
“Space travel continues - I moved from ship to ship. Well, that is, hello to everyone from the strict regime zone. Yesterday I was transferred to IK-6 "Melekhovo".
“I'm in quarantine so I don't have much to say.
"Everything else is ok. Hello everyone, I hug everyone, eat the bird without breading."
IK-6 Melekhovo is renowned in Russia for its brutal beatings as well as rapes of male inmates.
Navalny also mused about cultural life behind bars, as well as the lawlessness he has faced since his incarceration.
He added: " I almost moved while I was dragging books into / out of the paddy wagon that I have in my warehouse.
"The jailers almost moved while they were copying them. And this despite the fact that, fearing such a situation, a month ago I hardly persuaded the administration to accept 50 books from me in the prison library. Honestly, yesterday for the first time in my life I dragged these bags and thought that a fire made of books is not necessarily something bad.
"About lawlessness: an announcement hangs in quarantine with a list of professions that can be obtained here, and the duration of training."
Navalny was given a nine-year term in 2021 after a Russian court found him guilty of fraud charges. They also fined him 1.2 million rubles (around £17,500).
Several human rights organisations and Western politicians have condemned the various criminal cases launched against Navalny.
