The difference between “prison” and “labour camp” is the same as the difference between “administration” and “regime”, “police” and “security forces”, or “insurgent” and “terrorist”
Not that I support it but does anyone know why Putin doesn’t just have this guy killed? He has lots of people killed and I feel like I’ve been hearing about this guys imprisonment for years. It’s surprising he’s kept alive in prison indefinitely rather than added to the pile. Is the fear it would trigger a bigger movement / martyr him?
He’s afraid he’ll be martyred. Don’t forget, Navalny returned to Russia willingly right after releasing a documentary on Putins secret mansion. It was allegedly to put Putin in the awkward position of choosing between keeping an opponent with popular support alive, and killing him and potentially motivating the masses. Locking him away somewhere distant and keeping him there until he’s forgotten about is probably the best way to get rid of him. I’m pretty sure most Russians know that the legal system is a farce.
In addition to Putin not wanting to turn him into a martyr, keeping him around as an opposition candidate allows Putin to maintain a facade of democratic legitimacy. The people have another viable option besides Putin, even if it’s just the illusion of free choice.