Russia celebrates Valentine's Day by forming human chains in support for Navalny's wife

<p>Alexei Navalny is a man who is rarely named by the Russian President Vladimir Putin.</p>

<p>The Kremlin critic and Putin's latest nightmare is 44-year-old, popular and has support abroad. His poisoning made him a household name and his dramatic arrest heightened his profile. Even in jail, he has outmanoeuvred Vladimir Putin.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-story-of-alexei-navalny-361674/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-navalny-built-an-opposition-in-russia-despite-putins-tight-grip-on-power-359519" hreflang="en">How Navalny built an opposition in Russia despite Putin's tight grip on power</a></strong></p>

<p>Alexei Navalny is the son of an army officer. Navalny grew up in Obninsk, about 60 miles south-west of Moscow. With a degree in law, he also spent time in the United States on a fellowship at Yale University.</p>

<p>In the year 2000, at the age of 24, he joined the Russian united democratic party, Yabloko. Then, seven years later, he was expelled from the party for his overtly 'nationalistic activities'.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putins-popularity-slips-as-alexei-navalnys-political-equity-rises-359520" hreflang="en">Putin's popularity slips as Alexei Navalny's political equity rises</a></strong></p>

<p>During anti-Putin demonstrations in 2011, he was among the first opposition leaders arrested. In 2013, he ran for the Mayor of Moscow but lost to a Kremlin-backed candidate. Since then, Navalny has been barred from running for office. Instead, he has turned his focus on social media to mobilise crowds of mostly young protesters.</p>

<p>He is best known for producing detailed investigations into corruption. Investigations such as 'He Is Not Dimon to You' which accused the former prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev of corruption, 'The case has been solved. I know everyone who tried to kill me' which detailed his poisoning, 'Parazity' that exposed the Kremlin's control on the Russian media and the being 'Putin's Palace: History of the World's Largest Bribe'.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-ill-fitting-suits-to-silencing-critics-journey-of-vladimir-putin-challenged-by-alexei-navalny-361655" hreflang="en">From ill-fitting suits to silencing critics: Journey of Vladimir Putin challenged by Alexei Navalny</a></strong></p>

<p>Navalny has not just challenged Putin's leadership, but also his strongman image. He has single-handedly put Putin in a catch 22 situation as letting Navalny walk out of prison comes with a huge cost, but keeping him behind bars is not helping either.</p>

<p>His case gave a new life to dying opposition parties. There are a total of 69 of them but only six parties are represented in the Russian parliament, the state duma. Putin's party, United Russia, is the largest faction with 343 of 450 seats. The second-largest faction is the Communist Party of the Russian Federation with 42 seats, followed by LDPR with 40 seats and A Just Russia with 23 seats among two others.</p>

<p>The small numbers have made these parties a rubber-stamp opposition. Putin's party holds the final say over the passage of any measures. Majorly, the ideological differences within the opposition makes a merger quite difficult.</p>

<p>Alexei Navalny emerged as a unifying force as his witty posts, memes and pop culture references got the support of leaders across party lines. However, now that he's in jail, the Russian opposition has once again lost its voice.</p>


Alexei Navalny is a man who is rarely named by the Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin critic and Putin's latest nightmare is 44-year-old, popular and has support abroad.

Alexei Navalny is a man who is rarely named by the Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin critic and Putin's latest nightmare is 44-year-old, popular and has support abroad. His poisoning made him a household name and his dramatic arrest heightened his profile. Even in jail, he has outmanoeuvred Vladimir Putin. Also read| How Navalny built an opposition in Russia despite Putin's tight grip on power Alexei Navalny is the son of an army officer. Navalny grew up in Obninsk, about 60 miles south-west of Moscow. With a degree in law, he also spent time in the United States on a fellowship at Yale University. In the year 2000, at the age of 24, he joined the Russian united democratic party, Yabloko. Then, seven years later, he was expelled from the party for his overtly 'nationalistic activities'. Also read| Putin's popularity slips as Alexei Navalny's political equity rises During anti-Putin demonstrations in 2011, he was among the first opposition leaders arrested. In 2013, he ran for the Mayor of Moscow but lost to a Kremlin-backed candidate. Since then, Navalny has been barred from running for office. Instead, he has turned his focus on social media to mobilise crowds of mostly young protesters. He is best known for producing detailed investigations into corruption. Investigations such as 'He Is Not Dimon to You' which accused the former prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev of corruption, 'The case has been solved. I know everyone who tried to kill me' which detailed his poisoning, 'Parazity' that exposed the Kremlin's control on the Russian media and the being 'Putin's Palace: History of the World's Largest Bribe'. Also read| From ill-fitting suits to silencing critics: Journey of Vladimir Putin challenged by Alexei Navalny Navalny has not just challenged Putin's leadership, but also his strongman image. He has single-handedly put Putin in a catch 22 situation as letting Navalny walk out of prison comes with a huge cost, but keeping him behind bars is not helping either. His case gave a new life to dying opposition parties. There are a total of 69 of them but only six parties are represented in the Russian parliament, the state duma. Putin's party, United Russia, is the largest faction with 343 of 450 seats. The second-largest faction is the Communist Party of the Russian Federation with 42 seats, followed by LDPR with 40 seats and A Just Russia with 23 seats among two others. The small numbers have made these parties a rubber-stamp opposition. Putin's party holds the final say over the passage of any measures. Majorly, the ideological differences within the opposition makes a merger quite difficult. Alexei Navalny emerged as a unifying force as his witty posts, memes and pop culture references got the support of leaders across party lines. However, now that he's in jail, the Russian opposition has once again lost its voice.

Who is Alexei Navalny, apart from being Putin's nightmare?

<p>Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, in a note from jail, urged Russians to 'free' the country from a 'bunch of thieves'. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement posted on his Instagram account, Navalny, 44, said, "iron doors slammed behind my back with a deafening sound, but I feel like a free man. Because I feel confident, I'm right. Thanks to your support. Thanks to my family's support." &nbsp;<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-critic-navalny-goes-on-trial-on-slander-charges-361559"><strong>Also read | Kremlin critic Navalny goes on trial on slander charges</strong></a><br />
<br />
When the sentence of Alexei Navalny was being read, Navalny made a heart sign with his hands and smiled at his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, 44, from behind the glass panel of his holding cell in the court. Navalny asked Yulia, who was crying during the verdict, to don’t be sad as everything will be fine. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russians-share-selfies-in-red-to-support-navalnys-wife-361548"><strong>Also read | Russians share selfies in red to support Navalny's wife</strong></a><br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Alexei Navalny Friday went on trial on charges of defaming a World War II veteran -- close on the heels of him being handed a nearly three-year prison term.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Legal pressure has been mounting on the 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner and his allies since he returned in mid-January to Russia from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning attack with the nerve agent Novichok. &nbsp;</p>

<p>He was ordered by a Moscow court this week to serve two years and eight months in prison for violating the terms of a 2014 suspended sentence on embezzlement charges he says were politically motivated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kremlin has said the arrests of thousands of protesters is a due response to the unsanctioned rallies. &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, in a note from jail, urged Russians to 'free' the country from a 'bunch of thieves'. In a statement posted on his Instagram account, Navalny, 44, said, "iron doors slammed behind my back with a deafening sound, but I feel like a free man.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, in a note from jail, urged Russians to 'free' the country from a 'bunch of thieves'. In a statement posted on his Instagram account, Navalny, 44, said, "iron doors slammed behind my back with a deafening sound, but I feel like a free man. Because I feel confident, I'm right. Thanks to your support. Thanks to my family's support." Also read | Kremlin critic Navalny goes on trial on slander charges When the sentence of Alexei Navalny was being read, Navalny made a heart sign with his hands and smiled at his wife, Yulia Navalnaya, 44, from behind the glass panel of his holding cell in the court. Navalny asked Yulia, who was crying during the verdict, to don’t be sad as everything will be fine. Also read | Russians share selfies in red to support Navalny's wife Meanwhile, Alexei Navalny Friday went on trial on charges of defaming a World War II veteran -- close on the heels of him being handed a nearly three-year prison term. Legal pressure has been mounting on the 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner and his allies since he returned in mid-January to Russia from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning attack with the nerve agent Novichok. He was ordered by a Moscow court this week to serve two years and eight months in prison for violating the terms of a 2014 suspended sentence on embezzlement charges he says were politically motivated. Kremlin has said the arrests of thousands of protesters is a due response to the unsanctioned rallies. (With inputs from agencies)

Free country from 'thieves': Alexei Navalny urges Russians from jail to overcome their fear  

<p>Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny Friday went on trial on charges of defaming a World War II veteran -- close on the heels of him being handed a nearly three-year prison term.</p>

<p>Legal pressure has been mounting on the 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner and his allies since he returned in mid-January to Russia from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning attack with the nerve agent Novichok. He was ordered by a Moscow court this week to serve two years and eight months in prison for violating the terms of a 2014 suspended sentence on embezzlement charges he says were politically motivated.</p>

<p>On Friday, Navalny faced defamation charges for describing people -- including the 95-year-old veteran -- who appeared in a pro-Kremlin video as "the shame of the country" and "traitors" in a June tweet. The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison.</p>

<p>The court was not expected to pronounce a verdict Friday.</p>

<p>Navalny's detention on his return to Moscow sparked mass demonstrations across the country that saw police arrest 10,000 protesters.</p>

<p>Navalny had, on Thursday, called on his supporters to fight fear and liberate Russia from a leadership he described as a "handful of thieves", while his aides said more protests were planned for later this year.</p>


Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny Friday went on trial on charges of defaming a World War II veteran -- close on the heels of him being handed a nearly three-year prison term.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny Friday went on trial on charges of defaming a World War II veteran -- close on the heels of him being handed a nearly three-year prison term. Legal pressure has been mounting on the 44-year-old anti-corruption campaigner and his allies since he returned in mid-January to Russia from Germany, where he had been recovering from a poisoning attack with the nerve agent Novichok. He was ordered by a Moscow court this week to serve two years and eight months in prison for violating the terms of a 2014 suspended sentence on embezzlement charges he says were politically motivated. On Friday, Navalny faced defamation charges for describing people -- including the 95-year-old veteran -- who appeared in a pro-Kremlin video as "the shame of the country" and "traitors" in a June tweet. The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison. The court was not expected to pronounce a verdict Friday. Navalny's detention on his return to Moscow sparked mass demonstrations across the country that saw police arrest 10,000 protesters. Navalny had, on Thursday, called on his supporters to fight fear and liberate Russia from a leadership he described as a "handful of thieves", while his aides said more protests were planned for later this year.

Kremlin critic Navalny goes on trial on slander charges

<p>Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny told a Moscow court on Tuesday that the goals of the legal proceedings against him was to intimidate opponents of President Vladimir Putin, and scare millions.</p>

<p>"The main thing in this process is to intimidate a huge number of people, this is how it works. They are putting one person behind bars to scare millions," Navalny said at the hearing.</p>

<p>Navalny is facing up to three and a half years in a case that has sparked nationwide protests.</p>

<p>Navalny was arrested at the Russian border on January 17 for alleged parole violations after returning from Germany where he had been recovering from a nerve agent poisoning in Russia.</p>

<p>He accuses Putin of ordering his murder, which the Kremlin denies. It has, in turn, suggested that Navalny is a CIA asset, a charge he rejects, and has told the West to stay out of its domestic affairs.</p>

<p>Navalny watched Tuesday's hearing from inside a glass cage in the courtroom. Before proceedings began, he praised his wife, who was present after being fined the previous day for taking part in a protest to demand his release.</p>

<p>Moscow's state prison authority accuses Navalny of parole violations relating to a suspended sentence he had been serving in an embezzlement case he calls trumped up.</p>

<p>Navalny, who is already serving a 30-day detention sentence in connection with the same case, told the court that the whole country knew he had been poisoned and was in Germany at the end of last year.</p>

<p>"On what grounds are you saying you didn't know where I was? You're misleading the court," he told the prison service official, who told Navalny he should have got in touch to formally inform the service of his circumstances.</p>

<p>Navalny's supporters have staged two straight weekends of nationwide protests demanding he be freed, despite a massive show of police force, the threat of arrest, bitter cold and the pandemic.</p>


Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny told a Moscow court on Tuesday that the goals of the legal proceedings against him was to intimidate opponents of President Vladimir Putin, and scare millions.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny told a Moscow court on Tuesday that the goals of the legal proceedings against him was to intimidate opponents of President Vladimir Putin, and scare millions. "The main thing in this process is to intimidate a huge number of people, this is how it works. They are putting one person behind bars to scare millions," Navalny said at the hearing. Navalny is facing up to three and a half years in a case that has sparked nationwide protests. Navalny was arrested at the Russian border on January 17 for alleged parole violations after returning from Germany where he had been recovering from a nerve agent poisoning in Russia. He accuses Putin of ordering his murder, which the Kremlin denies. It has, in turn, suggested that Navalny is a CIA asset, a charge he rejects, and has told the West to stay out of its domestic affairs. Navalny watched Tuesday's hearing from inside a glass cage in the courtroom. Before proceedings began, he praised his wife, who was present after being fined the previous day for taking part in a protest to demand his release. Moscow's state prison authority accuses Navalny of parole violations relating to a suspended sentence he had been serving in an embezzlement case he calls trumped up. Navalny, who is already serving a 30-day detention sentence in connection with the same case, told the court that the whole country knew he had been poisoned and was in Germany at the end of last year. "On what grounds are you saying you didn't know where I was? You're misleading the court," he told the prison service official, who told Navalny he should have got in touch to formally inform the service of his circumstances. Navalny's supporters have staged two straight weekends of nationwide protests demanding he be freed, despite a massive show of police force, the threat of arrest, bitter cold and the pandemic.

Russia aims to 'scare millions' through case against him, Navalny tells court

The judge gave Navalny five minutes to speak to his lawyer via video link and asked prison guards to leave the room so that he could talk privately.

Judge allows Alexei Navalny to speak to lawyer for 5 minutes

<p>Alexei Navalny, the fierce Kremlin critic who was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok, and has since recovered called on the European Union to initiate action against oligarchs that are close to Russian administration.</p>

<p>Navalny is currently recovering in Germany, where he was treated, and where suspicions of poisoning were confirmed.</p>

<p>Germany recently said that the EU will soon carve out a plan to deal with Navalny’s poisoning.&nbsp;The critic of Russia’s government was reportedly poisoned with a new variant hailing from the Novichok group of toxins.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/targeted-sanctions-unavoidable-germany-warns-russia-over-navalny-poisoning-333220" hreflang="en">'Targeted sanctions unavoidable': Germany warns Russia over Navalny poisoning</a></p>

<p>Many countries, especially from the West have warned Russia of sanctions if they don’t assist in investigations. Many have also alleged the role of Russian administration in Navalny’s poisoning.</p>

<p>"Sanctions against the whole country don't work. The most important thing is to impose entry bans on profiteers of the regime and freeze their assets," Navalny told German newspaper Bild. "They embezzle money, steal billions and at the weekend they fly to Berlin or London, buy expensive apartments and sit in cafes," he added.</p>

<p>He suggested Valery Gergiev, the chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic as the target for potential sanctions, for he was a staunch supporter of Putin. The EU could freeze the assets and enforce travel bans on Russians that may be involved in Navalny’s poisoning.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/germany-and-allies-call-out-russia-for-answers-on-navalny-poisoning-333074" hreflang="en">Germany and allies call out Russia for answers on Navalny poisoning</a></p>

<p>Germany could go as far as halting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which is currently under construction to transport gas from Russia to Germany. Navalny was flown to Berlin after falling sick during a flight in Siberia on August 20. Now, he wants to return to Russia.</p>

<p>"There is not even an attempt to make it look like they are investigating”, Navalny told Bild while referring to Russia’s investigations.</p>


Alexei Navalny, the fierce Kremlin critic who was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok, and has since recovered called on the European Union to initiate action against oligarchs that are close to Russian administration.

Alexei Navalny, the fierce Kremlin critic who was poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok, and has since recovered called on the European Union to initiate action against oligarchs that are close to Russian administration. Navalny is currently recovering in Germany, where he was treated, and where suspicions of poisoning were confirmed. Germany recently said that the EU will soon carve out a plan to deal with Navalny’s poisoning. The critic of Russia’s government was reportedly poisoned with a new variant hailing from the Novichok group of toxins. Also read: 'Targeted sanctions unavoidable': Germany warns Russia over Navalny poisoning Many countries, especially from the West have warned Russia of sanctions if they don’t assist in investigations. Many have also alleged the role of Russian administration in Navalny’s poisoning. "Sanctions against the whole country don't work. The most important thing is to impose entry bans on profiteers of the regime and freeze their assets," Navalny told German newspaper Bild. "They embezzle money, steal billions and at the weekend they fly to Berlin or London, buy expensive apartments and sit in cafes," he added. He suggested Valery Gergiev, the chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic as the target for potential sanctions, for he was a staunch supporter of Putin. The EU could freeze the assets and enforce travel bans on Russians that may be involved in Navalny’s poisoning. Also read: Germany and allies call out Russia for answers on Navalny poisoning Germany could go as far as halting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which is currently under construction to transport gas from Russia to Germany. Navalny was flown to Berlin after falling sick during a flight in Siberia on August 20. Now, he wants to return to Russia. "There is not even an attempt to make it look like they are investigating”, Navalny told Bild while referring to Russia’s investigations.

Poisoned Kremlin critic Navalny urges EU action against 'profiteers' close to Russia

<p>Blood samples taken from Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny confirmed the presence of a nerve agent from the banned Novichok family, the global chemical weapons watchdog said on Tuesday.</p>

<p>The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said in a statement that the biomarkers in his blood and urine had "similar structural characteristics as the toxic chemicals belonging" to the Novichok group.</p>

<p>The findings confirm results released by Germany, where Navalny was treated after falling ill on a flight in Siberia on Aug. 20. Berlin asked the OPCW to take samples from Navalny and test them after German doctors concluded he had been poisoned with Novichok.</p>

<p>The precise substance in Navalny`s samples that was detected by the OPCW`s designated laboratories was not on the list of banned chemical weapons, but is a new and undeclared variant in the Novichok family, the statement said.</p>

<p>"These results constitute a matter of grave concern," said OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias, calling on members to uphold the international treaty banning chemical weapons use.</p>

<p>Western governments have called for sanctions against Moscow over the case. Russia denies any involvement and has said it doubts Navalny was poisoned.</p>

<p>"No doubt Novichok nerve agent used to poison Alexey #Navalny," Britain`s delegation at the OPCW said on Twitter.</p>

<p>A joint statement from 44 OPCW member countries including the Germany, Britain and the United States called on Moscow to investigate.</p>

<p>"We urge the Russian Federation, on whose territory the attack took place, to investigate and to disclose, in a swift and transparent manner, the circumstances of this chemical weapons attack," the statement, tweeted by the UK delegation, said.</p>

<p>Novichok, a Soviet-era nerve toxin, was also used to poison a former Russian spy in England in 2018. The OPCW`s member states agreed last year to ban chemicals in the Novichok family, a ban that went into effect four months ago.</p>


Blood samples taken from Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny confirmed the presence of a nerve agent from the banned Novichok family, the global chemical weapons watchdog said on Tuesday.

Blood samples taken from Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny confirmed the presence of a nerve agent from the banned Novichok family, the global chemical weapons watchdog said on Tuesday. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said in a statement that the biomarkers in his blood and urine had "similar structural characteristics as the toxic chemicals belonging" to the Novichok group. The findings confirm results released by Germany, where Navalny was treated after falling ill on a flight in Siberia on Aug. 20. Berlin asked the OPCW to take samples from Navalny and test them after German doctors concluded he had been poisoned with Novichok. The precise substance in Navalny`s samples that was detected by the OPCW`s designated laboratories was not on the list of banned chemical weapons, but is a new and undeclared variant in the Novichok family, the statement said. "These results constitute a matter of grave concern," said OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias, calling on members to uphold the international treaty banning chemical weapons use. Western governments have called for sanctions against Moscow over the case. Russia denies any involvement and has said it doubts Navalny was poisoned. "No doubt Novichok nerve agent used to poison Alexey #Navalny," Britain`s delegation at the OPCW said on Twitter. A joint statement from 44 OPCW member countries including the Germany, Britain and the United States called on Moscow to investigate. "We urge the Russian Federation, on whose territory the attack took place, to investigate and to disclose, in a swift and transparent manner, the circumstances of this chemical weapons attack," the statement, tweeted by the UK delegation, said. Novichok, a Soviet-era nerve toxin, was also used to poison a former Russian spy in England in 2018. The OPCW`s member states agreed last year to ban chemicals in the Novichok family, a ban that went into effect four months ago.

Chemical weapons body confirms nerve agent Novichok in Navalny's blood

<p>A Russian journalist died on Friday after setting herself on fire in front of the local branch of the interior ministry in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, a day after her apartment was searched by police, her news outlet said.</p>

<p>Prior to her self-immolation, Irina Slavina wrote on her Facebook page: “I ask you to blame the Russian Federation for my death.” She worked as editor-in-chief at Koza Press, a small local news outlet that advertised itself as having “no censorship, no orders ‘from above’”.</p>

<p>A day before her death, she wrote on Facebook that police officers and investigators had searched her apartment, writing that they were looking for “brochures, leaflets and accounts” from the Open Russia opposition group, which is financed by Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky.</p>

<p>She said they seized notebooks, her laptop and other electronics, as well as her daughter’s laptop and her husband’s mobile phone.</p>

<p>Russia’s Investigative Committee said it was opening a preliminary inquiry after a woman self-immolated in Nizhny Novgorod, a city of 1.3 million around 400 km (250 miles) east of Moscow. It did not name Slavina in its statement.</p>

<p>The committee’s local branch in the Nizhny Novgorod region later said that Slavina’s self-immolation had nothing to do with the searches carried out at her apartment on the previous day.</p>

<p>It said she was only a witness in the criminal case for which the searches were being carried out.</p>

<p>Members of Russia’s opposition said Slavina had been under pressure from the authorities.</p>

<p>“Over the past years security officials have subjected her to endless persecution because of her opposition (activities),” opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov wrote on Instagram.</p>

<p>“What a nightmare,” Ilya Yashin, another Kremlin critic, wrote on Twitter. “All of these cases of police amusing themselves, these shows of men in masks - these are not games. The government is truly breaking people psychologically.”</p>


A Russian journalist died on Friday after setting herself on fire in front of the local branch of the interior ministry in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, a day after her apartment was searched by police, her news outlet said.

A Russian journalist died on Friday after setting herself on fire in front of the local branch of the interior ministry in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, a day after her apartment was searched by police, her news outlet said. Prior to her self-immolation, Irina Slavina wrote on her Facebook page: “I ask you to blame the Russian Federation for my death.” She worked as editor-in-chief at Koza Press, a small local news outlet that advertised itself as having “no censorship, no orders ‘from above’”. A day before her death, she wrote on Facebook that police officers and investigators had searched her apartment, writing that they were looking for “brochures, leaflets and accounts” from the Open Russia opposition group, which is financed by Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky. She said they seized notebooks, her laptop and other electronics, as well as her daughter’s laptop and her husband’s mobile phone. Russia’s Investigative Committee said it was opening a preliminary inquiry after a woman self-immolated in Nizhny Novgorod, a city of 1.3 million around 400 km (250 miles) east of Moscow. It did not name Slavina in its statement. The committee’s local branch in the Nizhny Novgorod region later said that Slavina’s self-immolation had nothing to do with the searches carried out at her apartment on the previous day. It said she was only a witness in the criminal case for which the searches were being carried out. Members of Russia’s opposition said Slavina had been under pressure from the authorities. “Over the past years security officials have subjected her to endless persecution because of her opposition (activities),” opposition politician Dmitry Gudkov wrote on Instagram. “What a nightmare,” Ilya Yashin, another Kremlin critic, wrote on Twitter. “All of these cases of police amusing themselves, these shows of men in masks - these are not games. The government is truly breaking people psychologically.”

Russian journalist dies after setting herself on fire

Kremlin critic and Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has accused the President Putin of being behind his poisoning.

Your Story: Russian Kremlin critic Navalny accuses President Putin behind his poisoning

<p>The leaders of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee asked President Donald Trump on Wednesday to consider whether the Russian government poisoned Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny with a chemical nerve agent, which would subject Moscow to sanctions.</p>

<p>"We are very concerned by assessments that Russian anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was poisoned in August 2020, by a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok family," the committee's Republican chairman, Senator Jim Risch, and its Democratic ranking member, Senator Bob Menendez, wrote in a letter to Trump.</p>

<p>The request - which followed a similar request from leaders of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on September 8 - added to growing international support for a response to Navalny's poisoning. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said earlier on Wednesday her country would discuss a response with European partners.</p>

<p>The Kremlin critic was discharged from Berlin's Charite hospital last week following 32 days of treatment after falling ill on a Russian domestic flight. Germany says he was poisoned with a Soviet-style Novichok nerve agent. Moscow has said it has seen no evidence that Navalny was poisoned.</p>

<p>The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter from Risch and Menendez. The deputy US ambassador to the United Nations, Cherith Norman-Chalet, told the UN Security Council earlier this month that it would work with allies to hold accountable those responsible for poisoning Navalny.</p>


The leaders of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee asked President Donald Trump on Wednesday to consider whether the Russian government poisoned Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny with a chemical nerve agent, which would subject Moscow to sanctions.

The leaders of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee asked President Donald Trump on Wednesday to consider whether the Russian government poisoned Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny with a chemical nerve agent, which would subject Moscow to sanctions. "We are very concerned by assessments that Russian anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny was poisoned in August 2020, by a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok family," the committee's Republican chairman, Senator Jim Risch, and its Democratic ranking member, Senator Bob Menendez, wrote in a letter to Trump. The request - which followed a similar request from leaders of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on September 8 - added to growing international support for a response to Navalny's poisoning. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said earlier on Wednesday her country would discuss a response with European partners. The Kremlin critic was discharged from Berlin's Charite hospital last week following 32 days of treatment after falling ill on a Russian domestic flight. Germany says he was poisoned with a Soviet-style Novichok nerve agent. Moscow has said it has seen no evidence that Navalny was poisoned. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter from Risch and Menendez. The deputy US ambassador to the United Nations, Cherith Norman-Chalet, told the UN Security Council earlier this month that it would work with allies to hold accountable those responsible for poisoning Navalny.

US lawmakers ask Donald Trump to investigate Kremlin critic's poisoning

<p>Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who was reportedly poisoned,&nbsp;is seen in a new picture where he is walking downstairs. He posted a photograph of himself on Instagram and said his path to recovery was "clear, although long."</p>

<p>He added he still has difficulties climbing stairs because his legs tremble.</p>

<p>Navalny, the leading opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin, fell ill in Siberia last month and was airlifted to Berlin.&nbsp;The dissident is recovering in Germany but his press secretary has&nbsp;said that he intends to eventually return to Russia.</p>

<p>Germany says laboratory tests in three countries have determined he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent, and Western governments have demanded an explanation from Russia.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFUAPu8llSO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFUAPu8llSO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFUAPu8llSO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFUAPu8llSO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Давайте расскажу, как идёт мое восстановление. Это уже ясная дорога, хоть и неблизкая. Все текущие проблемы вроде того, что телефон в моих руках бесполезен, как камень, а налить себе водички превращается в целый аттракцион, - сущая ерунда. Объясню. Совсем недавно я не узнавал людей и не понимал, как разговаривать. Каждое утро ко мне приходил доктор и говорил: Алексей, я принёс доску, давайте придумаем, какое на ней написать слово. Это приводило меня в отчаяние, потому что хоть я уже и понимал в целом, что хочет доктор, но не понимал, где брать слова. В каком месте головы они возникают? Где найти слово и как сделать так, чтобы оно что-то означало? Все это было решительно непонятно. Впрочем, как выразить своё отчаяние, я тоже не знал и поэтому просто молчал. И это я еще описываю поздний этап, который сам помню. Сейчас я парень, у которого дрожат ноги, когда он идёт по лестнице, но зато он думает: «о, это ж лестница! По ней поднимаются. Пожалуй, надо поискать лифт». А раньше бы просто тупо стоял и смотрел. Так что много проблем ещё предстоит решить, но потрясающие врачи университетской Берлинской клиники «Шарите» решили главную. Они превратили меня из «технически живого человека» в того, кто имеет все шансы снова стать Высшей Формой Существа Современного Общества, - человеком, который умеет быстро листать инстаграм и без размышлений понимает, где ставить лайки.</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/navalny/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Алексей Навальный</a> (@navalny) on <time datetime="2020-09-19T09:09:24+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Sep 19, 2020 at 2:09am PDT</time></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Navalny&nbsp;had earlier&nbsp;posted a photograph of himself on his hospital bed in Berlin.</p>

<p>Navalny was pictured alongside his family in the photo, which was posted on his Instagram account on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Putin has, meanwhile,&nbsp;called the accusations of Kremlin involvement in the incident with Navalny "unfounded" and "inappropriate."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFJwV0Dly0Z/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFJwV0Dly0Z/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFJwV0Dly0Z/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFJwV0Dly0Z/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Привет, это Навальный. Скучаю по вам 😍. Я все ещё почти ничего не умею, но вот вчера смог целый день дышать сам. Вообще сам. Никакой посторонней помощи, даже простейший вентиль в горле не использовал. Очень понравилось. Удивительный, недооценённый многими процесс. Рекомендую</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/navalny/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Алексей Навальный</a> (@navalny) on <time datetime="2020-09-15T09:38:01+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Sep 15, 2020 at 2:38am PDT</time></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who was reportedly poisoned, is seen in a new picture where he is walking downstairs. He posted a photograph of himself on Instagram and said his path to recovery was "clear, although long.

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who was reportedly poisoned, is seen in a new picture where he is walking downstairs. He posted a photograph of himself on Instagram and said his path to recovery was "clear, although long." He added he still has difficulties climbing stairs because his legs tremble. Navalny, the leading opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin, fell ill in Siberia last month and was airlifted to Berlin. The dissident is recovering in Germany but his press secretary has said that he intends to eventually return to Russia. Germany says laboratory tests in three countries have determined he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent, and Western governments have demanded an explanation from Russia. View this post on Instagram Давайте расскажу, как идёт мое восстановление. Это уже ясная дорога, хоть и неблизкая. Все текущие проблемы вроде того, что телефон в моих руках бесполезен, как камень, а налить себе водички превращается в целый аттракцион, - сущая ерунда. Объясню. Совсем недавно я не узнавал людей и не понимал, как разговаривать. Каждое утро ко мне приходил доктор и говорил: Алексей, я принёс доску, давайте придумаем, какое на ней написать слово. Это приводило меня в отчаяние, потому что хоть я уже и понимал в целом, что хочет доктор, но не понимал, где брать слова. В каком месте головы они возникают? Где найти слово и как сделать так, чтобы оно что-то означало? Все это было решительно непонятно. Впрочем, как выразить своё отчаяние, я тоже не знал и поэтому просто молчал. И это я еще описываю поздний этап, который сам помню. Сейчас я парень, у которого дрожат ноги, когда он идёт по лестнице, но зато он думает: «о, это ж лестница! По ней поднимаются. Пожалуй, надо поискать лифт». А раньше бы просто тупо стоял и смотрел. Так что много проблем ещё предстоит решить, но потрясающие врачи университетской Берлинской клиники «Шарите» решили главную. Они превратили меня из «технически живого человека» в того, кто имеет все шансы снова стать Высшей Формой Существа Современного Общества, - человеком, который умеет быстро листать инстаграм и без размышлений понимает, где ставить лайки. A post shared by Алексей Навальный (@navalny) on Sep 19, 2020 at 2:09am PDT × Navalny had earlier posted a photograph of himself on his hospital bed in Berlin. Navalny was pictured alongside his family in the photo, which was posted on his Instagram account on Tuesday. Putin has, meanwhile, called the accusations of Kremlin involvement in the incident with Navalny "unfounded" and "inappropriate." View this post on Instagram Привет, это Навальный. Скучаю по вам 😍. Я все ещё почти ничего не умею, но вот вчера смог целый день дышать сам. Вообще сам. Никакой посторонней помощи, даже простейший вентиль в горле не использовал. Очень понравилось. Удивительный, недооценённый многими процесс. Рекомендую A post shared by Алексей Навальный (@navalny) on Sep 15, 2020 at 2:38am PDT ×

Kremlin critic Navalny pictured walking downstairs as he recovers from novichok poisoning

The allies of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny are demanding a proper Russian investigation into the Alexi Navalny's poisoning case. Watch report.

Fineprint: 'Probe would reveal Russian connection' into Alexi Navalny's poisoning

Navalny had stayed at a hotel in the Siberian city of Tomsk. It has now been revealed by his team that the nerve agent used to poison him has been found on an empty bottle that was present in the hotel.

Putin critic Alexei Navalny Instagram video alleges water bottles poisoned

<p>Britain said on Wednesday that Russia had a case to answer over the poisoning of Alexei Navalny as it was almost certain that Russian intelligence services carried out the attack with a Soviet-developed chemical weapon known as Novichok.</p>

<p>Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, speaking in Washington alongside Mike Pompeo, said he welcomed Navalny's recovery but that Russia had a case to answer as the use of a chemical weapon was unacceptable.</p>

<p>"The Russian government is duty bound to explain what happened to Mr Navalny," Raab said.</p>

<p>"From the UK's point of view, very difficult to see any plausible alternative explanation to this being carried out by the Russian intelligence services, but certainly the Russian government has a case to answer," Raab said.</p>

<p>Navalny shared a photograph from a Berlin hospital on Tuesday, sitting up in bed and surrounded by his family, and said he could now breathe independently after being poisoned in Siberia last month.</p>

<p>The leading opponent of President Vladimir Putin, fell violently sick while campaigning on Aug. 20 and was airlifted to Berlin.</p>

<p>Germany says laboratory tests in three countries have determined he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent, and Western governments have demanded an explanation from Russia.</p>

<p>Moscow has called the accusations groundless.</p>


Britain said on Wednesday that Russia had a case to answer over the poisoning of Alexei Navalny as it was almost certain that Russian intelligence services carried out the attack with a Soviet-developed chemical weapon known as Novichok.

Britain said on Wednesday that Russia had a case to answer over the poisoning of Alexei Navalny as it was almost certain that Russian intelligence services carried out the attack with a Soviet-developed chemical weapon known as Novichok. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, speaking in Washington alongside Mike Pompeo, said he welcomed Navalny's recovery but that Russia had a case to answer as the use of a chemical weapon was unacceptable. "The Russian government is duty bound to explain what happened to Mr Navalny," Raab said. "From the UK's point of view, very difficult to see any plausible alternative explanation to this being carried out by the Russian intelligence services, but certainly the Russian government has a case to answer," Raab said. Navalny shared a photograph from a Berlin hospital on Tuesday, sitting up in bed and surrounded by his family, and said he could now breathe independently after being poisoned in Siberia last month. The leading opponent of President Vladimir Putin, fell violently sick while campaigning on Aug. 20 and was airlifted to Berlin. Germany says laboratory tests in three countries have determined he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent, and Western governments have demanded an explanation from Russia. Moscow has called the accusations groundless.

UK says Russian spies almost certainly behind Kremlin critic poisoning

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on September 15 posted his first social media post since he was poisoned with a suspected Soviet-era nerve agent. He said that he was able to breathe.

Navalny poisoning: Kremlin critic posts pic from hospital with family

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

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The votes are among an array of local elections being held across Russia’s regions on Sunday.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>His associates believe the use of the banned chemical weapon shows only the Russian state could be responsible.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Early voting began on Friday and Sunday is the main polling day.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p><em><strong>(with inputs from agencies)</strong></em></p>


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

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

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuid7MYZrI5pg72m" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>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.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-nobel-peace-prize-nomination-a-testament-to-his-bold-diplomacy-and-vision-white-house-326386" hreflang="en">Trump's Nobel Peace Prize nomination a 'testament to his bold diplomacy and vision': White House</a></p>

<p>"I think people all around the world see this kind of activity for what it is," Pompeo said in a radio interview.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-calls-germanys-handling-of-requests-on-navalny-inappropriate-326313" hreflang="en">Russia calls Germany's handling of requests on Navalny 'inappropriate'</a></p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>Navalny has been the most visible critic within Russia of President Vladimir Putin and mysteriously got critically ill while taking a flight in Siberia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Later, he was flown for treatment to Germany, where doctors said he was poisoned.&nbsp;</p>

<p>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.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"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."</p>

<p>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.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trump has sought warmer relations with Putin, although his administration has still pushed sanctions over Ukraine and other concerns.</p>

<p><em>(Inputs from AFP)</em></p>


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

<p>Russian Kremlin's critic Alexei&nbsp;Navalny has been in the hospital for the past one week, since he was allegedly poisoned for being an active critic of the Russian leader Valdimir Putin.</p>

<p>Now that the critic is stable, some doctors have claimed that no trace of poison was found during his treatment. However, some German doctors disagree with this claim.</p>

<p>To put an end to the rumours and the controversies, Russia's&nbsp;Interior Ministry is launching an investigation into the hospitalisation of the opposition leader.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="https://w3.cdn.anvato.net/player/prod/v3/anvload.html?key=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%2FaXU9LzExNDQwNDY1L1dpb25ld3NfVmlkZW8vV2lvbmV3c19QcmVyb2xsJmRlc2NyaXB0aW9uX3VybD1bcGxhY2Vob2xkZXJdJmVudj12cCZpbXBsPXMmY29ycmVsYXRvcj0mdGZjZD0wJm5wYT0wJmdkZnBfcmVxPTEmb3V0cHV0PXZhc3Qmc3o9NjQweDQ4MCZ1bnZpZXdlZF9wb3NpdGlvbl9zdGFydD0xIn19LCJoZWFsdGhBbmFseXRpY3MiOnt9fSwiaHRtbDUiOnRydWV9" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Navalny was taken to the hospital after he was allegedly poisoned during a flight&nbsp;rom the Siberian city of Tomsk to Moscow.</p>

<p>While Russian doctors had claimed that there was no trace of poison, German doctors who treated&nbsp;Navalny later disagreed with the claim.</p>

<p>The Interior Ministry has, therefore, opened an investigation into the matter. The transportation unit of the Ministry is&nbsp;currently carrying out preliminary searches in the hotel room where&nbsp;Navalny stayed and the routes he took in the city. The video surveillance footage from the area will also be investigated.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-regrets-russias-lack-of-transparency-over-navalny-poisoning-case-323406"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;France regrets Russia's lack of 'transparency' over Navalny poisoning case</strong></a></p>

<p>As of now, the investigators have not found any drugs or any other potent substances from the hotel room. The Russian prosecutors have also asked Germany for Navalny's medical files from his treatment at the German clinic.</p>

<p>The investigation is a step towards Russia trying to clear the rumours around the critic's health, which can affect Moscow's relationship with the West.</p>

<p>French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, however,&nbsp;said on Thursday he was bemused by Russia not taking a transparent approach over the possible poisoning of Navalny.</p>


Russian Kremlin's critic Alexei Navalny has been in the hospital for the past one week, since he was allegedly poisoned for being an active critic of the Russian leader Valdimir Putin.

Russian Kremlin's critic Alexei Navalny has been in the hospital for the past one week, since he was allegedly poisoned for being an active critic of the Russian leader Valdimir Putin. Now that the critic is stable, some doctors have claimed that no trace of poison was found during his treatment. However, some German doctors disagree with this claim. To put an end to the rumours and the controversies, Russia's Interior Ministry is launching an investigation into the hospitalisation of the opposition leader. × Navalny was taken to the hospital after he was allegedly poisoned during a flight rom the Siberian city of Tomsk to Moscow. While Russian doctors had claimed that there was no trace of poison, German doctors who treated Navalny later disagreed with the claim. The Interior Ministry has, therefore, opened an investigation into the matter. The transportation unit of the Ministry is currently carrying out preliminary searches in the hotel room where Navalny stayed and the routes he took in the city. The video surveillance footage from the area will also be investigated. Also read: France regrets Russia's lack of 'transparency' over Navalny poisoning case As of now, the investigators have not found any drugs or any other potent substances from the hotel room. The Russian prosecutors have also asked Germany for Navalny's medical files from his treatment at the German clinic. The investigation is a step towards Russia trying to clear the rumours around the critic's health, which can affect Moscow's relationship with the West. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, however, said on Thursday he was bemused by Russia not taking a transparent approach over the possible poisoning of Navalny.

Russia starts investigating Alexei Navalny's alleged 'poisoning'

kremlin-critic

Kremlin Critic, News on Kremlin Critic, stories on Kremlin Critic, articles on Kremlin Critic, Kremlin Critic stories at Wion, Kremlin Critic news, Kremlin Critic latest news

kremlin critic