Alexey Navalny fails to appear at another court hearing, leaving associates unsure of his whereabouts for sixth day

Jailed Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny failed to appear by video call at a court hearing on Monday, according to his press secretary, Kira Yarmysh.

Prison officials blamed Navalny’s absence on issues with the prison’s electrical system that have puportedly been ongoing since December 7.

“They’re just mocking us,” Yarmysh wrote on Twitter. “This is the sixth day that we haven’t known where Alexey is or what’s happening to him.”

Since December 6, Navalny’s lawyers have not been allowed into the prison where he’s being held. According to his associates, on December 8, one of his lawyers stood outside the facility all day, waiting to see him, but was ultimately not allowed in to visit. Navalny has also failed to virtually attend multiple hearings.

Earlier, Kira Yarmysh reported that Navalny became dizzy at a hearing two weeks ago and had to lie down on the floor, where prison staff gave him an IV.