Putin Critic's Dark Account Of Prison: Woken Every Hour, Severe Back Pain

Alexei Navalny's lawyer, Vadim Kobzev, said Thursday that the constant denial of sleep amounted to a form of torture. He said the inaction of prison authorities was worsening Navalny's condition.

At first, jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny's impressions of Russia's prison system took the form of a dark-humor travelogue. But it wasn't long before social media posts - sent on his behalf by anonymous members of his team- cast a cruel light on his conditions, including claims he has been denied proper medical care for severe back pain and never allowed a full night's rest. Through a trickle of posts from Navalny's allies and his wife Yulia on Instagram, Twitter and other sites - as well as statements from his lawyer - a portrait of prison life has emerged ranging from strict exercise yard rules to being awakened every hour during the night by a guard. His lawyer, Vadim Kobzev, said Thursday that the constant denial of sleep amounted to a form of torture. He said the inaction of prison authorities was worsening Navalny's condition.