Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who is serving a sentence in a high-security prison colony in the Vladimir region, refused to come out of his cell today. Navalny had to attend a court session and interrogation via video link.

As reported by Navalny’s associate Ivan Zhdanov, they took the writing implements he was using from his cell and he refused to leave it in protest. After that he was forcibly brought before the investigator.

“Helmeted police officers stormed the cell and, using force, transported him, dragging him before the investigator.”Zhdanov wrote in a Telegram post.

The incident was also confirmed by Navalny’s new lawyer, Leonid Salaviov. Salafiov added that the writing implements were removed as part of “security measures” and that this was not the first time this had happened.

A court session was scheduled to take place today regarding one of the lawsuits filed by Navalny against the management of the IK-6 prison colony. Usually the jailed opposition politician participates in court sessions via video link.

Navalny’s lawsuit against the administration of the colony where he is being held is being heard by the court of the city of Kovrov in the Vladimir region. Earlier, the politician’s spokeswoman Kira Jarmis reported that Navalny was not present at the October 23 hearing, although he usually “participates in Kovrov’s courts via video link.” The court hearing was adjourned until November 2.

On October 13, the Basmani District Court of Moscow arrested three of Alexei Navalny’s lawyers, Igor Sergunin, Vadim Kobzev and Alexei Lipster, on suspicion of participating in an extremist organization, deciding to remand them for two months. If they are convicted of participating in an extremist organization they face up to six years in prison. Navalny’s associates believe the charges against his lawyers are related to the Russian authorities’ desire to isolate the Russian opposition politician.