German government: Navalny recovery news ‘encouraging’

The German government BERLIN— on Wednesday welcomed news that poisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s condition has further improved after his poisoning in Russia and confirmed that Moscow had sent a second request for judicial assistance in the case.

Navalny, who fell ill on a domestic flight in Russia on Aug. 20, posted a photo from Berlin’s Charité Hospital, wherehe has been receiving treatment. “I still can’t do almost anything onmy own, but yesterday I managed to breathe on my own for the entire day,” he wrote.

Germany has insisted that Russia answer questions aboutwhat happened to the politician and anti-corruption researcher. A German military laboratory confirmed the presence in Navalny’s body of Novichok, a Soviet-era nerve agent linked to a previous attempted assassination of a Kremlin enemy.

“The German government is relieved about the latest news fromthe Charité, according to which the health situation of Alexei Navalny has further improved,” German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer told reporters Wednesday .“That is encouraging, and the German government wishes Mr. Navalny a quick and complete recovery.”

Russia has rejected the suggestion that it was involved in Navalny’s poisoning. The affair has added to friction between Berlin and Moscow over issues like Ukraine, Syria, and alleged Russianintelligence activity on German soil.

Demmer did not say whether Chancellor Angela Merkel planned to meet Navalny But she confirmed that, despite speaking out on the case, she has not so far discussed it directly with Russian President Vladimir Put in.