Russian officials confiscated notes naming the torturers of political prisoner Azat Miftakhov, his lawyer alleges

Nadezhda Kravtsova, Azat Miftakhov's lawyer, has filed an administrative lawsuit against the Polar Owl Penal Colony No. 18, alleging that staff members read her papers, seized Miftakhov's reply to her, and confiscated notes containing the names of staff and inmates she claims were involved in his torture. The colony described her actions as "antisocial behavior" and she is seeking to declare the confiscation and warning unlawful.

This incident occurred on May 7, three days after The Insider published Miftakhov's detailed account of the torture regime. Miftakhov named the alleged participants in the torture, which included physical and sexual violence. Kravtsova visited Miftakhov on May 7 as his lawyer and handed him written responses from his wife, Elena Gorban, who was denied visitation.

Upon leaving the colony, an "entire squad" of staff stopped her and forcibly took her documents and personal notes. The colony administration claimed she violated rules by bypassing the administration, while Kravtsova argues that the law allows confidential communication between a lawyer and client. Kravtsova is asking the court to declare the warning and practice unlawful and to order the colony to return the confiscated items.

The case will be heard by the Labytnangi City Court starting September 15, with Miftakhov, his wife, and the Federal Penitentiary Service department for the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug as interested parties.