Russia's main pro-Kremlin party is claiming a clear win in local polls, seen as a big test of its popularity. Watch report.

Russia regional election: Politicians backed by Putin coasting to landslide win

The German government said Monday that laboratories in France and Sweden have confirmed its own findings that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement that Germany had asked France and Sweden "for an independent review of the German evidence (of Novichok poisoning) on the basis of new samples from Mr Navalny," who is receiving treatment in Berlin.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/the-curious-case-of-russian-kremlin-critics-who-were-allegedly-poisoned-321943">The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned</a>

"The results of this review at specialised laboratories in France and Sweden are now available and confirm the German evidence (of Novichok poisoning)," Seibert said.

"We renew the call for Russia to explain itself on the events. We are in close contact with our European partners on further steps," he added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-approves-russian-request-to-assist-in-navalny-probe-326877">Germany approves Russian request to assist in Navalny probe</a>

The poisoning has brought tensions between Russia and Germany to new heights, fuelling calls for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a Kremlin flagship project to bring Russian gas direct to Germany under the Baltic Sea, to be scrapped.

Earlier,&nbsp;Berlin prosecutors had said it would investigate the&nbsp;Navalny case&nbsp;for suspected poisoning, and hand information to Moscow,&nbsp;if he agreed.

Moscow has insisted it has seen no evidence he was poisoned and earlier on Friday said it would ask to send investigators to Berlin in response to the German demands.

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The prosecutor's office in the German capital said it had been commissioned by the regional justice department "to provide legal assistance over the Russian request for legal assistance and to obtain information on the state of health of A.&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;- subject to his consent".

Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's highest-profile critic, was flown to Germany last month after falling violently ill while travelling in Siberia. He is very unlikely to agree to Germany sharing information with the Russian government, which his supporters have accused of attempted murder.

The transport department of Russia's interior ministry in Siberia said it wanted to send investigators to work alongside German colleagues on the case, after reports that&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;had emerged from a coma.

"This request will include an application for the possible presence of Russian internal affairs investigators ... and a Russian specialist when German colleagues are conducting investigations with&nbsp;Navalny, doctors and experts," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia has not opened a criminal investigation and is sticking to its position that it would first need hard evidence from Germany that&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;was poisoned. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that German accusations over the case were "groundless".

The German government said Monday that laboratories in France and Sweden have confirmed its own findings that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent.

The German government said Monday that laboratories in France and Sweden have confirmed its own findings that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent. Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement that Germany had asked France and Sweden "for an independent review of the German evidence (of Novichok poisoning) on the basis of new samples from Mr Navalny," who is receiving treatment in Berlin. Also see: The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned "The results of this review at specialised laboratories in France and Sweden are now available and confirm the German evidence (of Novichok poisoning)," Seibert said. "We renew the call for Russia to explain itself on the events. We are in close contact with our European partners on further steps," he added. Also read: Germany approves Russian request to assist in Navalny probe The poisoning has brought tensions between Russia and Germany to new heights, fuelling calls for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a Kremlin flagship project to bring Russian gas direct to Germany under the Baltic Sea, to be scrapped. Earlier, Berlin prosecutors had said it would investigate the Navalny case for suspected poisoning, and hand information to Moscow, if he agreed. Moscow has insisted it has seen no evidence he was poisoned and earlier on Friday said it would ask to send investigators to Berlin in response to the German demands. The prosecutor's office in the German capital said it had been commissioned by the regional justice department "to provide legal assistance over the Russian request for legal assistance and to obtain information on the state of health of A. Navalny - subject to his consent". Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's highest-profile critic, was flown to Germany last month after falling violently ill while travelling in Siberia. He is very unlikely to agree to Germany sharing information with the Russian government, which his supporters have accused of attempted murder. The transport department of Russia's interior ministry in Siberia said it wanted to send investigators to work alongside German colleagues on the case, after reports that Navalny had emerged from a coma. "This request will include an application for the possible presence of Russian internal affairs investigators ... and a Russian specialist when German colleagues are conducting investigations with Navalny, doctors and experts," the ministry said in a statement. Russia has not opened a criminal investigation and is sticking to its position that it would first need hard evidence from Germany that Navalny was poisoned. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that German accusations over the case were "groundless".

Germany says France, Sweden confirm Novichok poisoning in Navalny case

Russians vote on September 13 in regional elections that will be scrutinised for signs of discontent with the ruling United Russia party following the suspected poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Regional election in Russia: Test of Kremlin party's grip on power | World News

Russia on Sunday voted in regional elections overshadowed by the poisoning of the main opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The Kremlin critic had been urging supporters to vote tactically to push out the ruling party backing President Vladimir Putin.

Voters went to the polls on Sunday morning, wearing compulsory masks and gloves and undergoing temperature checks to protect against coronavirus infection in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk.

Navalny also has dozens of allies running for the city council in Siberia’s Novosibirsk, hoping to tap into frustrations with the ruling party after years of falling wages and a coronavirus lockdown that hit businesses.

The votes are among an array of local elections being held across Russia’s regions on Sunday.

It is rare for Navalny’s allies to be allowed to compete in elections and the 44-year-old was himself barred from taking part in Russia’s last presidential election in 2018.

The anti-corruption campaigner, who is now being treated in a hospital in Berlin, carved out a following on YouTube publishing videos alleging high-level graft among President Vladimir Putin’s allies and targeting the United Russia party.

In 41 of the country's 85 regions, Russians are voting for regional governors and lawmakers in regional and city legislatures as well as in several by-elections for national MPs.

The vote is seen as a key test of the Kremlin's control of local politics as the United Russia ruling party has seen a drop in popularity amid simmering public anger over falling incomes and economic woes.

Experts say the poisoning of Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition figure, can influence voters. After he was evacuated from Siberia to Berlin, German doctors said Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent.

His associates believe the use of the banned chemical weapon shows only the Russian state could be responsible.

Navalny has sought to promote tactical voting, urging his supporters to back whichever is the strongest candidate to defeat the ruling party. He had been in Siberia to promote his "smart voting" campaign when he fell ill.

Berlin has demanded an explanation from Moscow after it said German doctors found the banned Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok in Navalny’s body. Russia says there is no solid evidence yet that Navalny was poisoned.

Meanwhile, elections in the country are for the first time being held over three days and some polling stations for early voting were open-air.

Early voting began on Friday and Sunday is the main polling day.

Several regions recorded large turnouts in two days of early voting, with over 50 percent of the electorate casting ballots early in the far eastern Jewish Autonomous Region and in Tatarstan.

The controversial three-day system was first used this summer for a national vote on constitutional amendments that made it possible for Putin to stay in power until 2036.

Tens of thousands have taken to the streets there for the past two months over the arrest of a popular governor who defeated an incumbent from the ruling party in 2018.

The case of the former Khabarovsk governor and the protest movement in Russia's neighbour Belarus have both sparked small-scale demonstrations in solidarity in Russian cities, suggesting there is potential for a protest vote.

(with inputs from agencies)

Russia on Sunday voted in regional elections overshadowed by the poisoning of the main opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The Kremlin critic had been urging supporters to vote tactically to push out the ruling party backing President Vladimir Putin.

Russia on Sunday voted in regional elections overshadowed by the poisoning of the main opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The Kremlin critic had been urging supporters to vote tactically to push out the ruling party backing President Vladimir Putin. Voters went to the polls on Sunday morning, wearing compulsory masks and gloves and undergoing temperature checks to protect against coronavirus infection in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk. Navalny also has dozens of allies running for the city council in Siberia’s Novosibirsk, hoping to tap into frustrations with the ruling party after years of falling wages and a coronavirus lockdown that hit businesses. The votes are among an array of local elections being held across Russia’s regions on Sunday. It is rare for Navalny’s allies to be allowed to compete in elections and the 44-year-old was himself barred from taking part in Russia’s last presidential election in 2018. The anti-corruption campaigner, who is now being treated in a hospital in Berlin, carved out a following on YouTube publishing videos alleging high-level graft among President Vladimir Putin’s allies and targeting the United Russia party. In 41 of the country's 85 regions, Russians are voting for regional governors and lawmakers in regional and city legislatures as well as in several by-elections for national MPs. The vote is seen as a key test of the Kremlin's control of local politics as the United Russia ruling party has seen a drop in popularity amid simmering public anger over falling incomes and economic woes. Experts say the poisoning of Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition figure, can influence voters. After he was evacuated from Siberia to Berlin, German doctors said Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent. His associates believe the use of the banned chemical weapon shows only the Russian state could be responsible. Navalny has sought to promote tactical voting, urging his supporters to back whichever is the strongest candidate to defeat the ruling party. He had been in Siberia to promote his "smart voting" campaign when he fell ill. Berlin has demanded an explanation from Moscow after it said German doctors found the banned Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok in Navalny’s body. Russia says there is no solid evidence yet that Navalny was poisoned. Meanwhile, elections in the country are for the first time being held over three days and some polling stations for early voting were open-air. Early voting began on Friday and Sunday is the main polling day. Several regions recorded large turnouts in two days of early voting, with over 50 percent of the electorate casting ballots early in the far eastern Jewish Autonomous Region and in Tatarstan. The controversial three-day system was first used this summer for a national vote on constitutional amendments that made it possible for Putin to stay in power until 2036. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets there for the past two months over the arrest of a popular governor who defeated an incumbent from the ruling party in 2018. The case of the former Khabarovsk governor and the protest movement in Russia's neighbour Belarus have both sparked small-scale demonstrations in solidarity in Russian cities, suggesting there is potential for a protest vote. (with inputs from agencies)

Russia holds regional polls in shadow of Kremlin critic Navalny's poisoning

Local poll viewed as dry run for 2021 Parliamentary election in Russia

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has made progress towards recovery in hospital in Germany. The Kremlin critic is being treated in Berlin`s Charite hospital after falling ill on a Russian domestic flight last month. Germany has said that Navalny, who is a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin was poisoned with Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok.

Kremlin, meanwhile still sees no grounds to investigate this matter as a criminal case. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow still saw no grounds to open a criminal case into the illness of Navalny.

On Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was quoted as saying that Putin had told him that a committee would be set up to look into the alleged poisoning.

Kremlin clarified that no such step had been taken.

 
Senior Kremlin official ordered poisoning: Pompeo

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo targetted Russia as he alleged on Wednesday that a senior official of Kremlin ordered the poisoning.

Also Read: <a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/campaigner-for-kremlin-critic-navalny-beaten-up-326555">Campaigner for Kremlin critic Navalny beaten up</a>

He said that there was a "substantial chance" that Navalny`s suspected poisoning had been ordered by senior Russian officials.

"I think people all around the world see this kind of activity for what it is," Pompeo said in a radio interview.

Russia called this allegation "unacceptable".

(With inputs from Reuters)

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has made progress towards recovery in hospital in Germany. The Kremlin critic is being treated in Berlin`s Charite hospital after falling ill on a Russian domestic flight last month.

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has made progress towards recovery in hospital in Germany. The Kremlin critic is being treated in Berlin`s Charite hospital after falling ill on a Russian domestic flight last month. Germany has said that Navalny, who is a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin was poisoned with Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok. Kremlin, meanwhile still sees no grounds to investigate this matter as a criminal case. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow still saw no grounds to open a criminal case into the illness of Navalny. On Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was quoted as saying that Putin had told him that a committee would be set up to look into the alleged poisoning. Kremlin clarified that no such step had been taken. Senior Kremlin official ordered poisoning: Pompeo US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo targetted Russia as he alleged on Wednesday that a senior official of Kremlin ordered the poisoning. Also Read: Campaigner for Kremlin critic Navalny beaten up He said that there was a "substantial chance" that Navalny`s suspected poisoning had been ordered by senior Russian officials. "I think people all around the world see this kind of activity for what it is," Pompeo said in a radio interview. Russia called this allegation "unacceptable". (With inputs from Reuters)

Alexei Navalny's condition improves, Russia still sees no ground for criminal case

The novichok nerve agent used to poison Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was `harder` than previous forms, Der Spiegel magazine reported the head of Germany`s foreign intelligence service as saying.

Bruno Kahl, head of Germany`s foreign intelligence service, informed what Spiegel termed a "secret meeting" about the potency of the poison, the magazine said, but did not give any other details of the meeting.

Spiegel added that a delegation from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was said to have visited at the weekend the Berlin hospital where Navalny is being treated.

Navalny, President Vladimir Putin`s highest-profile critic, was airlifted to Germany last month after falling violently ill while travelling in Siberia.

German doctors say he was poisoned with novichok, a Russian nerve agent. Moscow says it has seen no evidence he was poisoned.

Der Spiegel reported on Thursday that Navalny had made further progress in his recovery, and was able to speak again.

The novichok nerve agent used to poison Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was `harder` than previous forms, Der Spiegel magazine reported the head of Germany`s foreign intelligence service as saying.

The novichok nerve agent used to poison Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was `harder` than previous forms, Der Spiegel magazine reported the head of Germany`s foreign intelligence service as saying. Bruno Kahl, head of Germany`s foreign intelligence service, informed what Spiegel termed a "secret meeting" about the potency of the poison, the magazine said, but did not give any other details of the meeting. Spiegel added that a delegation from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was said to have visited at the weekend the Berlin hospital where Navalny is being treated. Navalny, President Vladimir Putin`s highest-profile critic, was airlifted to Germany last month after falling violently ill while travelling in Siberia. German doctors say he was poisoned with novichok, a Russian nerve agent. Moscow says it has seen no evidence he was poisoned. Der Spiegel reported on Thursday that Navalny had made further progress in his recovery, and was able to speak again.

Novichok used on Navalny 'harder' than previous forms: Spiegel

Germany has approved a request from Russia for legal assistance in the probe into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. To this end, Berlin's Justice Ministry has tasked state prosecutors with working with Russian authorities.

Berlin state prosecutors said in a tweet that their office had been commissioned to provide legal assistance to Russia and information on Navalny's state of health, "subject to his consent."

Navalny, Russian President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critic, was flown to Germany two days after falling ill on August 20. German experts determined that the 44-year-old was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent, prompting Berlin to demand that Russia investigate the case.

He was kept in an induced coma for more than a week, before hospital officials said Monday his condition had improved enough for him to be brought out of it.

Russian authorities, in turn, have prodded Germany to share the evidence that led them to conclude that Navalny was poisoned with a military nerve agent. The said agent from the Novichok group was famously used on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, England, in 2018.

Russian doctors previously said they had found no sign of Navalny's poisoning.

The move to task Berlin prosecutors to work with Russian investigators came a week after Russia's request for assistance was received by the Berlin state Justice Ministry. 
&nbsp;

Germany has approved a request from Russia for legal assistance in the probe into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. To this end, Berlin's Justice Ministry has tasked state prosecutors with working with Russian authorities.

Germany has approved a request from Russia for legal assistance in the probe into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. To this end, Berlin's Justice Ministry has tasked state prosecutors with working with Russian authorities. Berlin state prosecutors said in a tweet that their office had been commissioned to provide legal assistance to Russia and information on Navalny's state of health, "subject to his consent." Navalny, Russian President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critic, was flown to Germany two days after falling ill on August 20. German experts determined that the 44-year-old was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent, prompting Berlin to demand that Russia investigate the case. He was kept in an induced coma for more than a week, before hospital officials said Monday his condition had improved enough for him to be brought out of it. Russian authorities, in turn, have prodded Germany to share the evidence that led them to conclude that Navalny was poisoned with a military nerve agent. The said agent from the Novichok group was famously used on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, England, in 2018. Russian doctors previously said they had found no sign of Navalny's poisoning. The move to task Berlin prosecutors to work with Russian investigators came a week after Russia's request for assistance was received by the Berlin state Justice Ministry.

Germany approves Russian request to assist in Navalny probe

Berlin's Charite hospital said in a statement that the condition of poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has improved and he is being weaned off mechanical ventilation.

Kremlin critic being treated in Germany: Navalny's condition is improving

Navalny poisoning has not just sent shockwaves across the world but has also shocked the people in Russia. Navalny poisoning might have started what is being described as 'political awakening' in small towns in Russia. Watch report.

Political awakening after Navalny poisoning case? Incident sees a change in local politics

Russian police on Friday said they would ask Germany to question Kremlin's opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is undergoing treatment in Berlin.&nbsp;

The development came after a German magazine reported on Thursday said that Navalny has made progress in his recovery and is able to speak again.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalnys-condition-improves-russia-still-sees-no-ground-for-criminal-case-326588">Alexei Navalny's condition improves, Russia still sees no ground for criminal case</a>

It is being understood by Der Spiegel that "Navalny can speak again and can likely remember details about his collapse."

Germany says that Navalny, a well-known critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was poisoned by a soviet-style Novichok nerve agent, a claim denied by Moscow.&nbsp;

Navalny's alleged poisoning has raised eyebrows in West, with experts questioning Moscow's role in an attempt to silence its most prominent critic.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said there was a "substantial chance" his poisoning was ordered by top Russian officials.

Russian police on Friday said they would ask Germany to question Kremlin's opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is undergoing treatment in Berlin. The development came after a German magazine reported on Thursday said that Navalny has made progress in his recovery and is able to speak again.

Russian police on Friday said they would ask Germany to question Kremlin's opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is undergoing treatment in Berlin. The development came after a German magazine reported on Thursday said that Navalny has made progress in his recovery and is able to speak again. Also read | Alexei Navalny's condition improves, Russia still sees no ground for criminal case It is being understood by Der Spiegel that "Navalny can speak again and can likely remember details about his collapse." Germany says that Navalny, a well-known critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was poisoned by a soviet-style Novichok nerve agent, a claim denied by Moscow. Navalny's alleged poisoning has raised eyebrows in West, with experts questioning Moscow's role in an attempt to silence its most prominent critic. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said there was a "substantial chance" his poisoning was ordered by top Russian officials.

Russian police seek to question Alexei Navalny in Germany

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said that there was "substantial chances" that a senior official in Kremlin ordered opposition leader Alexei Navalny's poisoning.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said that there was "substantial chances" that a senior official in Kremlin ordered opposition leader Alexei Navalny's poisoning. Also read: Trump's Nobel Peace Prize nomination a 'testament to his bold diplomacy and vision': White House "I think people all around the world see this kind of activity for what it is," Pompeo said in a radio interview. Also read: Russia calls Germany's handling of requests on Navalny 'inappropriate' "And when they see the effort to poison a dissident, and they recognize that there is a substantial chance that this actually came from senior Russian officials, I think this is not good for the Russian people," he told conservative host Ben Shapiro. Navalny has been the most visible critic within Russia of President Vladimir Putin and mysteriously got critically ill while taking a flight in Siberia. Later, he was flown for treatment to Germany, where doctors said he was poisoned. Pompeo regurgitated that the United States and its European allies all wanted Russia to "hold those responsible for this accountable" and said Washington would also try to identify the perpetrators. "It's something that we'll take a look at, we'll evaluate, and we'll make sure we do our part to do whatever we can to reduce the risk that things like this happen again." These remarks by the US Secretary of State come despite Trump's comment last week that he had seen no proof that Navalny was poisoned. Trump has sought warmer relations with Putin, although his administration has still pushed sanctions over Ukraine and other concerns. (Inputs from AFP)

Alexei Navalny's poisoning likely by 'senior Russian officials': Mike Pompeo

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told an Italian newspaper earlier on Thursday that Putin had promised to set up an inquiry into the recent poisoning of his critic Alexei Navalny.

Putin vows to open inquiry into Alexei Navalny poisoning

Unidentified attackers beat up an activist campaigning for hospitalised Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in the Urals city of Chelyabinsk, his colleagues said Thursday.

Alexei Baraboshkin, the local coordinator for Navalny, was "assaulted by unknown attackers" late Wednesday after receiving threats for several weeks, his campaign office wrote on Telegram.

It posted a picture of him with a bruised and bleeding eye.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalnys-poisoning-likely-by-senior-russian-officials-mike-pompeo-326402">Also read|&nbsp;Alexei Navalny's poisoning likely by 'senior Russian officials': Mike Pompeo</a>

Navalny is being treated in Germany for poisoning with Novichok in an incident that has sparked international condemnation and the threat of sanctions against Russia.

The Kremlin critic was leading a nationwide tactical voting campaign aimed at pushing out the ruling party in polls this weekend for regional and local assemblies.

Doctors suspected the Chelyabinsk campaigner suffered a fractured skull and concussion, according to a medical document posted by his team, who said the attackers did not take his money or phone.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-calls-germanys-handling-of-requests-on-navalny-inappropriate-326313">Also read|&nbsp;Russia calls Germany's handling of requests on Navalny 'inappropriate'</a>

A police spokeswoman in Chelyabinsk said officers were carrying out a check after receiving a report from the hospital, the RIA Novosti state news agency reported.

Chelyabinsk residents on Sunday will vote for regional and municipal deputies.

Early voting will begin nationwide from Friday, in a move to reduce the coronavirus risk at polling stations, while opposition activists fear this will make it easier to falsify the results.

Regional campaigners for Navalny have reported numerous threats and acts of intimidation as well as regular searches of their homes and detentions by police.

Unidentified attackers beat up an activist campaigning for hospitalised Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in the Urals city of Chelyabinsk, his colleagues said Thursday.

Unidentified attackers beat up an activist campaigning for hospitalised Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in the Urals city of Chelyabinsk, his colleagues said Thursday. Alexei Baraboshkin, the local coordinator for Navalny, was "assaulted by unknown attackers" late Wednesday after receiving threats for several weeks, his campaign office wrote on Telegram. It posted a picture of him with a bruised and bleeding eye. Also read| Alexei Navalny's poisoning likely by 'senior Russian officials': Mike Pompeo Navalny is being treated in Germany for poisoning with Novichok in an incident that has sparked international condemnation and the threat of sanctions against Russia. The Kremlin critic was leading a nationwide tactical voting campaign aimed at pushing out the ruling party in polls this weekend for regional and local assemblies. Doctors suspected the Chelyabinsk campaigner suffered a fractured skull and concussion, according to a medical document posted by his team, who said the attackers did not take his money or phone. Also read| Russia calls Germany's handling of requests on Navalny 'inappropriate' A police spokeswoman in Chelyabinsk said officers were carrying out a check after receiving a report from the hospital, the RIA Novosti state news agency reported. Chelyabinsk residents on Sunday will vote for regional and municipal deputies. Early voting will begin nationwide from Friday, in a move to reduce the coronavirus risk at polling stations, while opposition activists fear this will make it easier to falsify the results. Regional campaigners for Navalny have reported numerous threats and acts of intimidation as well as regular searches of their homes and detentions by police.

Campaigner for Kremlin critic Navalny beaten up

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny may have survived the novichok poisoning. But his poisioning could kill a major gas pipeline project between Russia and Germany.

Gravitas: Nord Stream 2: Killed by Novichok?

The Kremlin-linked businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin has vowed to ruin Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is in a coma in a Berlin hospital.

Kremlin linked tycoon Prigozhin vows to ruin Navalny

The incident has put Germany and Russia on a collision course, putting pressure on their joint gas pipeline project Nord Stream 2.

WION Fineprint: EU, Russia gas pipeline project in jeopardy

Russia's opposition figure Alexei Navalny, a fierce critic of Vladimir Putin, who was allegedly poisoned using a Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok has come out of the medically induced coma, according to the hospital in Berlin where he is being treated.

Russia's opposition figure Alexei Navalny now out of medically-induced coma

How will Navalny's case impact Nord Stream 2 project?

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who Germany says was poisoned by a weapons-grade Novichok nerve agent, is now out of a medically induced coma and reacting to speecH

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny out of induced coma

The UN&nbsp;rights chief has urged Russia to conduct a&nbsp;&nbsp;"thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation" into the alleged poisoning of Putin's critic&nbsp;Alexei Navalny.

"The number of cases of poisoning, or other forms of targeted assassination, of current or former Russian citizens, either within Russia itself or on foreign soil, over the past two decades is profoundly disturbing," Michelle Bachelet said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-opposition-figure-navalny-who-was-poisoned-now-out-of-medically-induced-coma-325807">Also read:&nbsp;Russia's opposition figure Navalny who was poisoned now out of medically induced coma</a>

Calling this a very serious crime, she said "it is incumbent on the Russian authorities to fully investigate who was responsible for this crime – a very serious crime that was committed on Russian soil."

Russia's ties with the west are suffering after&nbsp;Navalny's alleged poisoning&nbsp;case. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on Monday, said the country will not rule out consequences for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project if Russia fails to thoroughly investigate the incident.

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The US President Donald Trump, too, had called it a serious crime, saying,&nbsp;"I would be very angry if that's the case."

The British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab had also said,&nbsp;“What is clear right now is that the Russian government has a very serious set of questions to answer."

However, Russia has denied all allegations since the beginning of the matter.&nbsp;"Attempts to somehow associate Russia with what happened are unacceptable to us, they are absurd," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Russian doctors had even blamed&nbsp;Navalny's condition on poor health and sleeping patterns.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Alexei Navalny&nbsp;came out of the medically induced coma on September 07, reported&nbsp;the hospital in Berlin where he is being treated.

The UN rights chief has urged Russia to conduct a "thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation" into the alleged poisoning of Putin's critic Alexei Navalny.

The UN rights chief has urged Russia to conduct a "thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation" into the alleged poisoning of Putin's critic Alexei Navalny. "The number of cases of poisoning, or other forms of targeted assassination, of current or former Russian citizens, either within Russia itself or on foreign soil, over the past two decades is profoundly disturbing," Michelle Bachelet said in a statement. Also read: Russia's opposition figure Navalny who was poisoned now out of medically induced coma Calling this a very serious crime, she said "it is incumbent on the Russian authorities to fully investigate who was responsible for this crime – a very serious crime that was committed on Russian soil." Russia's ties with the west are suffering after Navalny's alleged poisoning case. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on Monday, said the country will not rule out consequences for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project if Russia fails to thoroughly investigate the incident. × The US President Donald Trump, too, had called it a serious crime, saying, "I would be very angry if that's the case." The British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab had also said, “What is clear right now is that the Russian government has a very serious set of questions to answer." However, Russia has denied all allegations since the beginning of the matter. "Attempts to somehow associate Russia with what happened are unacceptable to us, they are absurd," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Russian doctors had even blamed Navalny's condition on poor health and sleeping patterns. Meanwhile, Alexei Navalny came out of the medically induced coma on September 07, reported the hospital in Berlin where he is being treated.

UN urges Russia to conduct transparent investigation of Navalny's poisoning

Abandoning the nearly complete Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany could create a legal mess and nudge up energy costs for European households but Germany would cope with any disruption to supplies, economists say. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas at the weekend questioned the project -- thus far supported by Germany -- following the suspected poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Alleged poisoning of Alexei Navalny leads Germany to review Nord Stream 2 project

The United Nations on Tuesday called on Russia to undertake a "thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation" into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was reportedly poisoned with a Soviet-era agent Novichok.

Michelle Bachelet urged all stakeholders to cooperate in order to ascertain who poisoned Navalny. German authorities recently claimed to possess “unequivocal proof” of Novichok being used in the attack.

In Pics:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/mysterious-russian-poison-cases-radioactive-polonium-toxic-nerve-agent-to-chemicals-322391" hreflang="en">Mysterious Russian poison cases: Radioactive polonium, toxic nerve agent to chemicals</a>

"It is incumbent on the Russian authorities to fully investigate who was responsible for this crime, a very serious crime that was committed on Russian soil," Bachelet said in a statement.

Navalny, 44, is considered one of Putin’s fiercest critics in Russia. On September 8, he came out of a medically induced coma, and was responsive, a German hospital said.

Bachelet added that “the number of cases of poisoning, or other forms of targeted assassination, of current or former Russian citizens, either within Russia itself or on foreign soil, over the past two decades is profoundly disturbing."&nbsp;

"And the failure in many cases to hold perpetrators accountable and provide justice for the victims or their families, is also deeply regrettable and hard to explain or justify," she further said.

Fierce critic

One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critics, Navalny fell sick on a flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20, after which he was taken to a hospital in the city of Omsk in Siberia following an emergency landing.

As international pressure mounted, he was shifted to Berlin's Charite hospital.

In Pics:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/the-curious-case-of-russian-kremlin-critics-who-were-allegedly-poisoned-321943" hreflang="en">The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned</a>

Steffen Seibert the spokesperson to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on September 2 said that after testing by a military laboratory, it was ascertained that “a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group" was used on Navalny.

Novichok was notoriously famous during the Soviet era, and was also used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter who were&nbsp;then in Britain.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/ready-to-cooperate-with-germany-on-navalnys-case-24-hours-per-day-russia-325535" hreflang="en">Ready to cooperate with Germany on Navalny’s case 24 hours per day: Russia</a>

A cholinesterase inhibitor, it is part of a grouping of substances that the doctors had identified in Navalny after he was moved to Germany.

Russia has continuously rejected accusing of deliberate poisoning by the country, calling the accusations "empty noise". Russian doctors who had treated Navalny in Siberia have repeatedly claimed that poisoning was ruled out as no trace of poisonous substances was found in his body.

The United Nations on Tuesday called on Russia to undertake a "thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation" into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was reportedly poisoned with a Soviet-era agent Novichok.

The United Nations on Tuesday called on Russia to undertake a "thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigation" into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was reportedly poisoned with a Soviet-era agent Novichok. Michelle Bachelet urged all stakeholders to cooperate in order to ascertain who poisoned Navalny. German authorities recently claimed to possess “unequivocal proof” of Novichok being used in the attack. In Pics: Mysterious Russian poison cases: Radioactive polonium, toxic nerve agent to chemicals "It is incumbent on the Russian authorities to fully investigate who was responsible for this crime, a very serious crime that was committed on Russian soil," Bachelet said in a statement. Navalny, 44, is considered one of Putin’s fiercest critics in Russia. On September 8, he came out of a medically induced coma, and was responsive, a German hospital said. Bachelet added that “the number of cases of poisoning, or other forms of targeted assassination, of current or former Russian citizens, either within Russia itself or on foreign soil, over the past two decades is profoundly disturbing." "And the failure in many cases to hold perpetrators accountable and provide justice for the victims or their families, is also deeply regrettable and hard to explain or justify," she further said. Fierce critic One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's fiercest critics, Navalny fell sick on a flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20, after which he was taken to a hospital in the city of Omsk in Siberia following an emergency landing. As international pressure mounted, he was shifted to Berlin's Charite hospital. In Pics: The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned Steffen Seibert the spokesperson to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on September 2 said that after testing by a military laboratory, it was ascertained that “a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group" was used on Navalny. Novichok was notoriously famous during the Soviet era, and was also used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter who were then in Britain. Also read: Ready to cooperate with Germany on Navalny’s case 24 hours per day: Russia A cholinesterase inhibitor, it is part of a grouping of substances that the doctors had identified in Navalny after he was moved to Germany. Russia has continuously rejected accusing of deliberate poisoning by the country, calling the accusations "empty noise". Russian doctors who had treated Navalny in Siberia have repeatedly claimed that poisoning was ruled out as no trace of poisonous substances was found in his body.

UN urges Russia to undertake a 'transparent, independent' investigation into Navalny poisoning

Alexei Navalny out of induced coma, responds to verbal stimuli

Germany has threatened Russia with sanctions over poisoning of Russian critic Alexei Navalny. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that Moscow must come clean on the poisoning of the Russian opposition leader.

Germany threatens Russia with sanctions over poisoning of Alexei Navalny

NATO called an emergency meeting on this matter and alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg said all countries were united in condemning this 'horrific' attack on the 44-year-old opposition politician.

Russia to probe attempted murder angle in Alexei Navalny case

Mr Navalny was flown to Berlin after falling ill on a flight in Siberia last month, and remains in a coma.

Alexei Navalny | Russia to probe attempted murder angle | WION-DW partnership

US President Donald Trump is silent on Alexei Navalny murder as the world calls for answers from Russia. The European Union(EU) said on Thursday that "reserves the right to take appropriate actions, including through restrictive measures" on Russia after Germany said it has "unequivocal evidence" that Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned.

Alexei Navalny: Trump silent as world calls for answers from Russia

The Kremlin on Thursday rejected accusations that Russia had been responsible for the poisoning of opposition politician Alexei Navalny and said it saw no grounds for sanctions to be imposed against Moscow over the case.

Kremlin rejects Alexei Navalny poisoning accusations

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons' Director-GeneralFernando Arias on Thursday expressed "grave concern" after Germany said that Alexei Navalny had been poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok.

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons' Director-GeneralFernando Arias on Thursday expressed "grave concern" after Germany said that Alexei Navalny had been poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok. Also read: Kremlin sees 'no reason' to blame Russian state over Navalny The head of the world chemical arms watchdog, Fernando Arias has said that the body was ready to help any member country that asked for its assistance. "Under the Chemical Weapons Convention, any poisoning of an individual through the use of a nerve agent is considered a use of chemical weapons. Such an allegation is a matter of grave concern," Arias said in a statement. Arias added that the "use of chemical weapons by anyone under any circumstances" was "reprehensible and wholly contrary to the legal norms established by the international community." "The OPCW continues to monitor the situation and stands ready to engage with and to assist any states parties that may request its assistance," The OPCW chief said. On Wednesday, Germany said that it was going to contact the watchdog for the case. However, it did not say if it would seek its help, as it is entitled to under the Chemical Weapons Convention. (Inputs from AFP)

Head of world chemical arms watchdog expresses 'concern' over Navalny's poisoning case

The Russian government has been widely condemned after Germany confirmed on Wednesday that Mr Navalny had been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent.

WION Dispatch: Alexei Navalny | Berlin urges EU action over Novichok poisoning

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