Russia prison service defends treatment of hunger-striking Kremlin critic Navalny
Opposition politician says he has been denied proper medical care
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Russia's prison service has defended its treatment of Alexei Navalny, dismissing complaints by the hunger-striking Kremlin critic that he was not getting the medical care he needed in jail and was subjected to sleep deprivation.
Mr Navalny, one of Vladimir Putin's most prominent critics, went on hunger strike on Wednesday to try to force the prison holding him to give him proper medical care for what he said was acute pain in his back and legs.
The opposition politician said last week that guards were waking him up every hour at night and that his appeals for medical care were being ignored. The West has demanded his release.
The local prison service in Vladimir region where the IK-2 facility holding him is located told Reuters that the prison measures Mr Navalny was subjected to were strictly legal and were the same as those used against other inmates.
"Correction facility officers strictly respect the right of all inmates to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep," it said late on Wednesday, adding that guards were required to patrol and visually check on inmates at night.
Read more:
- British ex-pats leaving Spain to avoid illegal immigrant status after Brexit
- Refugee children in Sweden are falling into coma-like states on learning their families will be deported
- Germany to restrict AstraZeneca use in under-60s amid blood clot fear
- White people should ‘keep quiet’ during debates on racism, says Paris deputy mayor
"These measures do not interfere with convicts resting," it added.
"...Navalny is being provided with all necessary medical care in accordance with his current medical conditions," it said.
In a handwritten letter addressed to the governor of his prison which was posted to social media by his team on Wednesday, Mr Navalny said daily requests for a doctor of his choice to examine him and for proper medicine had been ignored.
Alexei Barinov, a doctor, told Reuters that Mr Navalny's lawyers had asked him to treat Mr Navalny and that they had requested the prison service either allow him into the prison or to let Mr Navalny out to a clinic.
"We're waiting for a decision from the FSIN (prison service)," he said, adding that he was ready to go.
Medical professionals on Sunday published an open letter demanding the 44-year-old politician get proper care.
Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments