Britain could help poisoned Kremlin critic

THE German hospital treating poisoned Putin critic Alexei Navalny has asked for British help, it emerged last night.

Its doctors called upon the Government’s world-leading Defence Science and Technology Laboratory as they try to treat the Russian opposition leader, who is reportedly in a coma.

The Wiltshire laboratory led the investigation into the Salisbury attack on former Russian agent Sergei Skripal in 2018.

Charite hospital in Berlin has made contact with the lab and its Munich equivalent, said German newspaper Der Spiegel and Bellingcat, the investigative website which uncovered the Salisbury poisoners as Russian agents.

Mr Navalny, 44, is one of the Kremlin’s biggest critics and he made his name by exposing official corruption.

His supporters suspect he was poisoned when he drank a cup of tea at Tomsk Airport in Siberia on August 20. He fell ill while on a plane, which made an emergency landing after he collapsed. Mr Navalny was treated in Siberia for two days before being flown to Germany.

Doctors yesterday said he is still in an induced coma but his condition is stable and his symptoms are improving.

The Charite found indications of cholinesterase inhibitors in his system. Found in some drugs and chemical nerve agents, the inhibitors block the breakdown of acetylcholine that transmits signals between nerve cells.

The hospital said: ‘While his condition remains serious, there is no immediate danger to his life. However, it remains too early to gauge potential longterm effects.’ German chancellor Angela Merkel is said to be receiving daily updates on his condition.