Vladimir Putin upgrades rank of Russian Penitentiary Service deputy head three days after Navalny’s death in prison

Vladimir Putin has decorated Valery Boyarinev, the deputy director of Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN), with the rank of colonel general. The accolade comes just days after opposition leader Alexey Navalny died in prison.

The Russian government’s website shows that the decree was signed on February 19. The FSIN announced Navalny’s death on February 16.

According to the independent outlet iStories, Boyarinev personally gave orders for the prison where Navalny was held until December 2023 to limit the amount of money Navalny could spend on food.

The decree shows that Putin also bestowed new ranks on multiple other FSIN officials.