Navalny refuses to leave cell, fails to attend hearing, after writing materials confiscated
Anti-Corruption Foundation Director Ivan Zhdanov said that Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny was unexpectedly absent at a hearing in the Kovrov City Court. Navalny usually attends hearings via video link from a room in Penal Colony No. 6, where he is imprisoned. Navalny’s spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said that the court hearing was postponed.
Initially, Zhdanov wrote that the reason for Navalny’s absence was unknown; however, he later reported that Navalny had refused to leave his cell for the trial or for any investigations after his writing materials were confiscated. According to Zhdanov, security forces entered Navalny’s cell and dragged him in front of the investigator.
On October 13, three of Navalny’s lawyers were arrested in what associates believe is a plan to completely isolate him.
