Alexei Navalny Forcibly Removed from Prison Cell After Protesting Confiscation of Writing Tools

Russian Opposition Leader Missing from Scheduled Court Hearing Due to Protest Over Confiscation of Writing Tools; Resulting in Forced Removal and Increased Isolation Measures as Potential Punishment.

• Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was forcibly removed from his prison cell on October 23, 2023 after protesting the confiscation of his writing tools by jail guards.
• Navalny's refusal to leave his cell in protest resulted in his absence from a scheduled court hearing, causing it to be postponed until November 2.
• Navalny has frequently used his writing tools to pen letters about his prison experiences and opposition to Vladimir Putin's regime; these letters are then published on social media via his lawyers. Three of these lawyers were detained on charges of extremism last week.
• The confiscation of Navalny's writing tools prevents him from continuing to write these letters, potentially further isolating him. This move follows a pattern of increased pressure on Navalny, with extended sentences on politically motivated charges and restrictions on contact with family and fellow inmates.
• Navalny is scheduled to be moved to a 'special regime' colony, the highest security level in the Russian penitentiary system, where contact with lawyers and family will be even more limited.

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