Russian Appeal Court Rules to Keep Navalny's 'Prone to Escape' Status

VLADIMIR (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 23rd September, 2021) The regional court in Russia's Vladimir Region has dismissed an appeal by jailed opposition figure Alexey Navalny, to change a district court verdict that recognized him as a person prone to escape from prison, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Thursday.

The hearing began on August 26. The court ordered the prison to provide by September 6 the necessary documents, including materials showing that during his stay in a Moscow detention facility, Navalny was labeled as prone to escape, and also to justify the use of a video recorder at night.

"The panel of judges ruled to leave the decision of the Petushinski district court of the Vladimir Region of June 2, 2021, unchanged, the appeal of .

.. Navalny was dismissed," a judge said.

The opposition figure, who partook in the hearing virtually, said that during his eight months in prison, there was not a single fact that would directly or indirectly indicate he is a flight risk.

Navalny's lawyer, Vadim Kobzev, later told reporters that he did not know yet whether his client would challenge the court ruling, noting that they have six months to make a decision.

In early June, the Petushinski district court rejected Navalny's lawsuit challenging his designation as prone to escape. The status implies stricter supervision over him in prison, in particular, regular check-ups, including at night.