Alexei Navalny died at Vladimir Putin’s nightmarish “end of the world” Arctic Wolf Prison today (February 16), where prisoners slash their own wrists to avoid the “torture”.

Navalny had been incarcerated on trumped-up charges since 2021, but was transferred to the torturous facility, where its dark six months of the year and inmates are “tear-gassed,” in December. He reportedly “collapsed” today during a walk after mounting fears over his health.

Officially known as the IK-3 prison colony of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenets region, the hellhole has regularly been referred to as Russia’s direct descendant of Soviet Gulags. Constructed in 1961 the Moscow Times reported it to be “one of the most northern and remote” penal colonies in the country’s prison portfolio, situated some 1,200 miles northeast of Moscow.

READ MORE: Putin’s fiercest critic Alexei Navalny dies in prison after ‘going for a walk’

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According to France 24 it took Navelny 20 days to reach the remote location, where temperatures can drop as low as -40C. The realities of life there were discussed by Marc Élie, a researcher specialising in the history of the Soviet Union at the Centre for Russian, Caucasian and Central European Studies (CERCEC) in France at the time of Navalny’s transfer there.

He told the outlet: “Weather conditions are very harsh, much harsher than in previous colonies… “There’s little light for six months of the year, and in summer you’re attacked by mosquitoes and midges”.

It was noted that Navalny was in the most brutal tier of the penal colony system, dubbed the “exceptional regime” which “is reserved for the most dangerous prisoners, those sentenced to life imprisonment or those whose death sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment”.

As the Daily Star previously reported, former 54-year-old inmate Mikhail warned prisoners needed to watch their backs, as the guards may “hit you with all their might on the head, neck, back, wherever they can.”

He continued: “It’s impossible to dodge, the line of guards is dense, and everyone is beating.”

He added that this “is not the edge of the world – it’s the edge of all life.”

Beating, suffocation, forced and prolonged discomfort, humiliating procedures, use of tear gas, handcuffs, and rubber truncheons are all methods staff use to torture inmates, he added. “One of the convicts couldn’t bear the torture and slashed his wrists”.

“His entire block is taken outside half-naked during the morning inspection and blasted with water from a fire hose. You dare ask for medical help?”

“They send you to the infirmary and beat you there. Your uniform is the right size? You’re way too fancy – they’ll punish you again.”

He said inmates would be made to stand in the cold wearing light clothes, claiming it was “fun” for the guards.

For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

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