Russian opposition leader was poisoned
Doctors contradict Russian findings with discovery of nerve agent toxins in system of Putin opponent
German doctors have revealed that Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader, was poisoned, contradicting an earlier diagnosis in Russia. Mr Navalny remains in an artificial coma and is in a serious condition in the Charite Hospital in Berlin. Doctors do not yet know exactly what poisoned him but said it was a “substance from the cholinesterase inhibitor group”, chemical compounds used in nerve agents, which alter the functioning of the nervous system.
GERMAN doctors treating Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader, say that he was poisoned, contradicting an earlier diagnosis in Russia.
The Charite Hospital in Berlin yesterday announced he had toxins in his system after conducting multiple tests.
Mr Navalny remains in an artificial coma and is in a serious condition, the hospital said in a statement, “but there is currently no acute danger to his life”.
There could be long-term effects including damage to the nervous system, the medics treating him said.
Germany has offered 24-hour security to Mr Navalny, and Angela Merkel, the chancellor, has expressed concern over the incident, as have Emmanuel Macron, of France, and Dominic Raab, the UK’S Foreign Secretary.
Mrs Merkel issued a joint statement with Heiko Maas, the foreign minister, saying “those responsible must be identified and held accountable”. “In light of the prominent role played by Mr Navalny in the political opposition in Russia, the authorities there are now urgently called upon to investigate this crime to the last detail – and do so in full transparency,” they said.
Doctors do not yet know exactly what poisoned him but said it was a “substance from the cholinesterase inhibitor group”, which alters the functioning of the nervous system.
Cholinesterase inhibitors are chemical compounds used in nerve agents, pesticides and medicines that alleviate symptoms of Alzehimer’s.
Novichok, the nerve agent used in the attack on Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, is such a compound.
German doctors said they were using atropine to treat Mr Navalny, the same antidote given to Col Skripal and his daughter following their poisoning.
Mr Navalny is already partly blind in one eye after an assailant threw a green dye in his face on a Moscow street in 2017.
Russia’s most outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin was suddenly taken ill and began crying out in pain on Thursday during a flight to Moscow from Siberia. The plane made an emergency landing in Omsk, where the 44-year old was treated by local doctors.
They said they found no evidence of poisoning and instead gave a diagnosis of a “metabolic disorder”. The local health ministry said alcohol and caffeine were found in his system but no other toxins. Mr Navalny’s supporters accused the doctors of working with
‘[Russia is] urgently called upon to investigate this crime to the last detail – and do so in full transparency’
Russian authorities to cover up the real reason for his illness, and insisted that he travel abroad for treatment. After initially rejecting their request, the Omsk doctors relented and he was flown to Germany on Saturday. Mr Navalny’s spokesman said yesterday Siberian authorities had been asked to launch a criminal investigation but had received no response. Earlier yesterday, Omsk doctors said they had saved Mr Navalny’s life and had not received any thanks from his family. “We arrived at the correct diagnosis, which allowed us to stabilise him and got the patient to a condition in which he could be safely transported,” Anatoly Kalinichenko, deputy head of the Omsk hospital, told reporters.
The Kremlin denies any involvement.