Russian President Vladimir Putin has promoted a top prison official days after the death of dissident Alexei Navalnyi.

Valery Boyarinov, deputy head of the FSIN penitentiary service, which is responsible for Russian prisons, has been promoted to general of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The director of the Anti-Corruption Foundationwhich was founded by Navalny, wrote today on his account on the Telegram platform that Boyarinov was personally responsible for torturing Navalny in prison.

“This should be understood as Putin’s apparent reward for torture,” Ivan Zhdanov wrote of Boyarinov’s promotion.

In July 2023, Boyarinov’s order to restrict the opposition politician’s ability to buy food and daily necessities was revealed during a court hearing involving Navalny.

Prisoners can normally use their money to supplement the meager rations they are given from the prison shop.

According to Zhdanov, the newly promoted general was also responsible for further harassment of the imprisoned Navalny.

Boyarinov’s promotion became known yesterday, Monday, when the relevant presidential decree was published. In addition to Boyarinov, three other law enforcement officers were promoted to the rank of general.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied any connection between Navalny’s death and the promotions, saying it was routine.