Putin says he intervened for Navalny

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday he had personally intervened to ensure that Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny could receive medical treatment in Germany.

Navalny (44) fell ill on August 20 and was airlifted to Berlin for treatment.

Blood samples confirmed the presence of a Novichok nerve agent and Navalny accused Putin of being behind his poisoning, which the Kremlin denies.

Putin said he had asked Russia’s general prosecutor’s office to authorise Navalny to leave the country after an appeal from Navalny’s wife.

‘‘There were travel restrictions against him related to a judicial investigation and a criminal case,’’ Putin said.

‘‘But I nonetheless asked the general prosecutor’s office to allow it and he left.’’

Putin said if someone in Russia had wanted to poison Navalny, Moscow would not have allowed him to be flown to Berlin for treatment. — Reuters