• Tuesday, March 14, the identical replica of a prison cell of Alexei Navalny, Russian opponent, is open to the public in Paris, Square Michel Caldaguès, after being exhibited for a month in Berlin.
  • Alexei Navalny's brother, Oleg, who spent 3 91/2022 years in prison for a fabricated case, replicated his brother's cell, who spent <> years in SHIZO (Russian punishment cell) in <>.
  • This is the most severe form of punishment in Russia's prison system. SHIZO is a place where most of the torture and murder occurs.

On Tuesday, March 14, under the cool spring wind, the crowd gathered in Square Michel Caldaguès in Paris, near a caisson of 2.50 m by 3 m, a 99% authentic replica of the prison cell of Alexei Navalny, Russian opponent, imprisoned for a fabricated case.

99% identical replica

His brother Oleg, who spent 3 and a half years in prison for Alexei's political activity, reproduced his brother Alexei's cell to show the international community inhumane conditions in which political prisoners are held who speak out against Vladimir Putin's policies. Alexei Navalny spent 91 days in SHIZO (Russian punishment cell) in 2022. This is the most severe form of punishment that exists in Russia's prison system.





Ivan Zhdanov, director of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, took the floor, with notes of humor that "only the Russian people can grasp." "Why did we decide to build this replica of the cell? Because we realized that when you talk about the Russian prison to the West, there are few people who really understand what it means, because the Russian prison already involves the conditions of torture," he said. According to Ivan Zhdanov, it is important to show this installation to the world and to tell the story of Alexei Navalny, in times of war, "when there are so many terrible things that happen", because all these things are linked: the Russian political regime, the freedom of Alexei Navalny and the war continues with Russia.



"Freedom to Alexei Navalny! Freedom to all political prisoners! No to war! @ioannZH, Director of the @ACF_int of @navalny inaugurated today in Paris the installation ШИЗО - Shizo, a life-size copy of an isolation cell in Russian prisons. pic.twitter.com/kHHkMjwsp5

— Russia-Freedoms (@Rus_Lib) March 14, 2023

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Symbol of Free Russia

Alexei Navalny has become a symbol of Free Russia as well as political prisoners, unjustly condemned by the Kremlin. Most of the latter are not known internationally, but all these people have paid a high price for their political beliefs. "The trial of our colleague, Lilia Chanisheva, a politician, continues. There are a large number of political prisoners who are not mentioned in the media, Alexei is the best known of them," Ivan Zhdanov explained. When we say "freedom to Alexei Navalny, we say freedom to all political prisoners," he added.



The replica that arrived in Paris, after being exhibited for a month in Berlin, aims to show the inhabitants of the capital, that in Russia, there are politicians who speak out against the war, who are imprisoned in catastrophic conditions and who fight with pride against Putin. "Freedom for Alexei Navalny, freedom for all political prisoners and not war!" prays Ivan, pulling a small key out of his pocket. According to him, usually, the opening of the facilities becomes a festive moment, but on this day, it represents above all the hope of a change of power in Russia and the victory against Putin.



Inhumane conditions

In Alexei Navalny's cell, there is almost no ventilation. The bunk bed is fixed to the wall during the day and turns into a table, rusty sink, Turkish toilet. Excerpts from the rules broadcast at regular intervals by loudspeaker. The prisoner can only get water three times a day, a single glass with a spoon and a bowl, for each meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Visits and parcels from outside are prohibited, convicts are allowed a pen and paper for only 35 minutes a day, and only one book for the entire period of detention. SHIZO is a place where most of the torture and murder occurs.



Navalny continues to be detained there under the most absurd and far-fetched excuses: an undone button on his uniform or for not immediately putting his hands behind his back while walking. However, the real reason is known: Navalny is being punished for challenging Putin and exposing his crimes. During the trial that sentenced him to 9 and a half years in prison in early March, the most famous opponent of the Russian president gave an anti-war speech against the invasion of Ukraine.



WE JUST WON AN OSCAR
Dad, this is for you❤️ pic.twitter.com/PGnVHs1eTB

— Dasha (@Dasha_Navalnaya) March 13, 2023

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Oscar 2023 awarded to "Navalny"

The 2023 Oscar for Best Documentary was awarded to "Navalny", by Canadian Daniel Roher, a film dedicated to the poisoning of the Russian opponent in 2020 and his fight against Vladimir Putin. "The Oscar, which was awarded to the film Navalny on Sunday, allows us to talk more and more about Navalny in the international political arena. Someone made a very fair comment, saying that it is easier to get an Oscar than to win the case in the Russian court," Ivan Zhdanov said.


  • Paris
  • Ile
  • Alexeï Navalny
  • Russia
  • Prison
  • War in Ukraine
  • Dictatorship
  • Vladimir Poutine
  • Oscars