Putin critic Navalny rumored to have been moved to an infamous Russian prison described as 'a monstrous place even by such insane standards'

According to the Russian state-sponsored media agency, Navalny was moved from a prison colony to a high-security prison for abusing inmates.

"Abuse and torture are used against inmates in many Russian prisons, but IK 6 in Melekhovo is a monstrous place even by such insane standards," Kira Yarmysh, Navalny's spokeswoman, said in a statement.

The prison in Melekhovo, east of Moscow, has a reputation for murder, rapes and abuse of inmates.

In a recorded video, a former prisoner at IK 6 describes being held down by six masked people who tried to get him to give up his lawyer and then raped him with a baton. The prisoner tried to kill himself because he was denied food and beaten so much.

Despite evidence of abuse on their remains, other inmates who have spoken out against abuses in the prison have died.

He was sentenced to 13 years in prison in March for swindling money through his foundation. He was moved this week from Russian Penal Colony No. 2 to a new location.

Yarmysh said there was no law there. Putin wants Navalny to tell the truth because he doesn't want to be afraid of him.