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Navalny Confirms Transfer to Arctic Circle Penal Colony

by VOA News

   Jailed Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny confirmed Tuesday that
   he had been transferred to a penal colony north of the Arctic Circle.

   His message on X, formerly Twitter, came a day after members of his
   team said they had managed to locate him after several weeks of not
   being able to reach him.

   Navalny had been held in the Vladimir region east of Moscow, and now is
   in Kharp in the Yamal-Nenets region, an area known for harsh winters.

   Navalny posted that he was transported "with such precaution and on
   such a strange route" that he had not expected his whereabouts to be
   known until January.

   "Anyway, don't worry about me. I'm fine," Navalny said. "I'm totally
   relieved that I've finally made it. Thanks again to everyone for your
   support. And happy holidays!"

   Kira Yarmysh, a spokeswoman for Navalny, said Monday that his lawyer
   was able to see him at the new site. She said holding Navalny there was
   meant to isolate him.

   Navalny was arrested in 2021 after returning from Germany where he
   recovered from nerve agent poisoning he blames on the Kremlin. He has
   rejected all charges against him as politically motivated.

   Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and
   Reuters