The relatives of the imprisoned leader of the Russian opposition Alexei Navalny they filed class action against the prison colony in which he is held, because he refuses to let them visit him.

Navalny’s family intends to appeal to the Constitutional Court, the Russian politician said today through a post on his official Instagram page, managed by his lawyers and associates.

“I am a convict. And they never stop reminding me that I’m just like everyone else. But I had (0) zero hits in the past year. Zero (0) long visits, 0 (zero) short visits and 2 (two) phone calls 11 months ago” Navalny wrote.

The post names as plaintiffs Navalny’s wife, Yulia, his parents, and his children, Dasha and Zahar.

Navalny, 47, is serving a total of 11-1/2 years in prison at the IK-6 penal colony in Melekhovo, about 140 miles (235 km) east of Moscow, on fraud and other charges he says were fabricated to silence him. his criticism of President Vladimir Putin.

The Kremlin routinely refuses to comment on his case, saying it is a matter for the prison service. Reuters has sought comment from prison authorities.

A new trial of Navalny for alleged “extremist” activity that began last month could extend his stay in prison for decades. Acquittals of opposition figures are actually unheard of in Russia.

Navalny has filed numerous complaints against the prison colony since he was imprisoned, all of which have been dismissed. One of the complaints related to prison officials’ refusal to provide him with writing equipment was made to Russia’s Supreme Court.

Prisoners “as a general rule” are entitled to three long-term and three short-term visits a year to prison colonies like the one in Melehovo, as well as at least six phone calls, Navalny said in his Instagram post.

“The Constitution guarantees the rights of my children, they have the right to see me and I am obliged to participate in their upbringing. The Constitution guarantees the rights of my elderly parents, I am obliged, as best I can, to take care of them,” Navalny wrote, noting that his parents were barred from attending the courtroom during his last trial in June.