Alexey Navalny, Russia's jailed opposition leader, has gone missing, according to his supporters
CBSNov 30, 2023
The Facts
In a social media post on Monday, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's spokesperson claimed that she hasn't heard from him in about a week, stating Navalny's current whereabouts are unknown.
Navalny's aides had anticipated his transfer to a "special regime" colony — reportedly the worst prison grade in Russia — after he received 19 years in prison in August in addition to the 11.5 years he had already been serving.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
As Russia's prominent opposition leader, Alexei Navalny shouldn't be in prison at all. The main rival to the presidency, he should challenge Putin in the presidential election; however, he isn't even on the ballot. The Kremlin has hidden Navalny deep inside Russia's penal system to limit his influence on Russian politics further. The timing of his disappearance isn't coincidence — it's political control.
Pro-Russia narrative
The US has no right to meddle in Russia's internal affairs. The Kremlin doesn't keep tabs on the location or movement of detainees, including Alexei Navalny. He is a prisoner presently serving his term after being found guilty in a court of law. Any foreign interference, including by the US, is unacceptable.