Thread by @ChrisO_wiki

1/ At least 125 more prisoners have been recruited from Russian penal colonies to fight in Ukraine – but this time it's Russian government officials doing the recruitment, not Wagner mercenaries, according to the independent Russian media outlet Verstka. ⬇️

2/ Verstka reports that a second wave of mobilisation is underway in prisons, following the first wave earlier this year which was led by Wagner representatives (and often Wagner's head, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in person). At least four penal colonies are said to have been targeted.

3/ Among the colonies targeted is IK-6 in the Vladimir region, where Alexei Navalny is being held. A representative of the "Russia Behind Bars" group, which campaigns for prisoner rights, says there were no Wagner recruiters and the proceedings were recorded on video.

4/ "The prosecutor, an employee of the Vladimir regional administration, doctors, and representatives of the colony administration were also present. They selected people under the age of 50 who were actually physically more or less healthy.

5/ There was a strong emphasis on 'willing/unwilling'. They even videotaped their consent. The prosecutor emphasised: "So your wives and mothers wouldn't blow our brains out, you agreed [to go]."

6/ In other words, it is no longer Wagner recruiting, but more culturally, more intelligently. More close to the law, if it is done in the presence of a prosecutor. A medical examination is [being given] there."

7/ 75 people were reportedly recruited from IK-6, and at least another 50 from IK-2 in Yaroslavl oblast, where again "no Prigozhinians" were involved. Recruitment also took place in IK-17 in Mordovia and IK-6 in Smolensk oblast.

8/ According to the Russia Behind Bars source, at IK-6 in Smolensk, "The 'chvkshniks' [mercenaries] themselves didn't even come, the local staff handled it. Those who signed up are waiting to be sent out any day now."

9/ Verstka gives no explanation for the disappearance of Wagner from the scene, but as the quoted prosecutor's words hint, complaints from relatives may be a factor. Many relatives have protested publicly against the illegality of the previous wave of mobilisation.

10/ The involvement of prosecutors may have been intended to deal with this complaint and avoid more mini-scandals such as the reported recruitment of prisoners with HIV, Hepatitis C and other serious chronic conditions. /end

Source:
t.me/svobodnieslova…