Germany's government on Friday said that Russia's sanctions plan related to Putin's critic Alexei Navalny is ''unjustified''.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said&nbsp;"Russia has all the means at its disposal to get to the bottom of this crime and instead it levels sanctions against officials of other states."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russiavladimir-putin-releases-statement-on-alexie-navalny-poisioning-342886/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Seibert called the punitive measures "unjustified and inappropriate", saying that Russia was "disregarding the international interest in solving this case".&nbsp;

It comes after Russia's decision to&nbsp;impose retaliatory sanctions on German and French officials over the poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had said on Thursday that&nbsp;Navalny, who fell ill on a flight in Siberia on August&nbsp;20 and was airlifted to Berlin for treatment, could have been poisoned in Germany or on the plane to Berlin.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/navalny-poisoning-russian-police-says-putin-critic-fell-ill-due-to-metabolic-problems-and-pancreatitis-341134">Navalny poisoning: Russian police says Putin critic fell ill due to metabolic problems and pancreatitis</a>

Navalny collapsed on a flight in Russia in August and was transported to Germany where experts concluded he was poisoned with the Soviet-designed nerve agent Novichok.

The 44-year-old anti-graft campaigner&nbsp;has said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the poisoning, while the Kremlin has strenuously denied involvement and accused Germany of refusing to cooperate in an investigation.

Lavrov on Thursday added without providing evidence that Moscow had "reason to believe" the nerve agent could have entered Navalny's system during the flight to Berlin's Charite hospital or while he was in Germany.

Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh called the suggestion that Navalny was poisoned in Germany "the most idiotic of them all".

Doctors who treated Navalny before he was flown to Berlin said last week that he had not been poisoned but instead was suffering from metabolic issues and pancreatitis.

Navalny remains in Germany for treatment but has vowed to return to Russia after making a full recovery.

Germany's government on Friday said that Russia's sanctions plan related to Putin's critic Alexei Navalny is ''unjustified''. Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said "Russia has all the means at its disposal to get to the bottom of this crime and instead it levels sanctions against officials of other states.

Germany's government on Friday said that Russia's sanctions plan related to Putin's critic Alexei Navalny is ''unjustified''. Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said "Russia has all the means at its disposal to get to the bottom of this crime and instead it levels sanctions against officials of other states." Seibert called the punitive measures "unjustified and inappropriate", saying that Russia was "disregarding the international interest in solving this case". It comes after Russia's decision to impose retaliatory sanctions on German and French officials over the poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had said on Thursday that Navalny, who fell ill on a flight in Siberia on August 20 and was airlifted to Berlin for treatment, could have been poisoned in Germany or on the plane to Berlin. Also read| Navalny poisoning: Russian police says Putin critic fell ill due to metabolic problems and pancreatitis Navalny collapsed on a flight in Russia in August and was transported to Germany where experts concluded he was poisoned with the Soviet-designed nerve agent Novichok. The 44-year-old anti-graft campaigner has said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the poisoning, while the Kremlin has strenuously denied involvement and accused Germany of refusing to cooperate in an investigation. Lavrov on Thursday added without providing evidence that Moscow had "reason to believe" the nerve agent could have entered Navalny's system during the flight to Berlin's Charite hospital or while he was in Germany. Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh called the suggestion that Navalny was poisoned in Germany "the most idiotic of them all". Doctors who treated Navalny before he was flown to Berlin said last week that he had not been poisoned but instead was suffering from metabolic issues and pancreatitis. Navalny remains in Germany for treatment but has vowed to return to Russia after making a full recovery.

Russia's sanctions plan related to Navalny 'unjustified', says Germany

Foreign Ministers of the European Union agreed in principle on Monday to support a proposal curated by France-Germany to initiate sanctions against Russia over the Novichok poisoning of Russian opposition leader and fierce critic Alexei Navalny.

Reported by news agency AFP, 27 ministers who met for talks in Luxembourg had reached political agreements to begin work on the sanctions, as per the guidelines set out by France and Germany last week.

According to the two countries, Russia is responsible for Navalny’s poisoning, in which a Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok was used. Even though Russia has staunchly denied its role, and the usage of any poisonous substance, tests undertook by Germany revealed that a poisoning substance was actually used on the critic.

Also read:&nbsp;<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>

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. The critic of Russia’s government was reportedly poisoned with a new variant hailing from the Novichok group of toxins.

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.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/poisoned-kremlin-critic-navalny-urges-eu-action-against-profiteers-close-to-russia-333234" hreflang="en">Poisoned Kremlin critic Navalny urges EU action against 'profiteers' close to Russia</a>

"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.

Foreign Ministers of the European Union agreed in principle on Monday to support a proposal curated by France-Germany to initiate sanctions against Russia over the Novichok poisoning of Russian opposition leader and fierce critic Alexei Navalny.

Foreign Ministers of the European Union agreed in principle on Monday to support a proposal curated by France-Germany to initiate sanctions against Russia over the Novichok poisoning of Russian opposition leader and fierce critic Alexei Navalny. Reported by news agency AFP, 27 ministers who met for talks in Luxembourg had reached political agreements to begin work on the sanctions, as per the guidelines set out by France and Germany last week. According to the two countries, Russia is responsible for Navalny’s poisoning, in which a Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok was used. Even though Russia has staunchly denied its role, and the usage of any poisonous substance, tests undertook by Germany revealed that a poisoning substance was actually used on the critic. Also read: 'Targeted sanctions unavoidable': Germany warns Russia over Navalny poisoning 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. The critic of Russia’s government was reportedly poisoned with a new variant hailing from the Novichok group of toxins. 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. Also read: Poisoned Kremlin critic Navalny urges EU action against 'profiteers' close to Russia "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.

European Union agrees in principle to sanction Russia over Navalny poisoning

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.&nbsp;The critic of Russia’s government was reportedly poisoned with a new variant hailing from the Novichok group of toxins.

Also read:&nbsp;<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>

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:&nbsp;<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>

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.

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

Germany warned Russia today that "targeted" and "proportionate sanctions" will be carried out against it&nbsp;"if necessary information is not provided" in the Navalny poisoning case.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-and-allies-call-out-russia-for-answers-on-navalny-poisoning-333074">Also Read:&nbsp;Germany and allies call out Russia for answers on Navalny poisoning</a>

"A serious violation of international law was perpetrated with a chemical warfare agent, and something like that cannot remain without consequences," German foreign minister Heiko Maas said.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-navalny-makes-his-1st-video-appearance-after-getting-discharged-from-hospital-332929/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was treated in a German hospital after he fell ill due to alleged poisoning. Navalny was admitted in a Siberian hospital and later evacuated to Germany in late August to Berlin's Charite hospital.

"It is clear that if the events are not cleared up, if the necessary information is not provided, then targeted and proportionate sanctions against those responsible on the Russian side will be unavoidable," the German foreign minister added.

Russia has firmly rejected allegations that its authorities were responsible for Navalny's poisoning.

Maas added that he would be coordinating the joint response with European Union partners including the OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) to put its message in place.

The Kremlin had earlier said that Russia was not developing chemical weapons and was complying fully with the arms control treaty that outlaws its production.

OPCW had earlier declared that samples found on Alexei Navalny was in fact nerve agent from the banned Novichok family. OPCW had said that there was "no doubt" that Novichok nerve agent was used to poison Navalny.

Britain and the United States had earlier asked Russia to investigate Navalny's poisoning.

Germany warned Russia today that "targeted" and "proportionate sanctions" will be carried out against it "if necessary information is not provided" in the Navalny poisoning case.

Germany warned Russia today that "targeted" and "proportionate sanctions" will be carried out against it "if necessary information is not provided" in the Navalny poisoning case. Also Read: Germany and allies call out Russia for answers on Navalny poisoning "A serious violation of international law was perpetrated with a chemical warfare agent, and something like that cannot remain without consequences," German foreign minister Heiko Maas said. Watch: Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was treated in a German hospital after he fell ill due to alleged poisoning. Navalny was admitted in a Siberian hospital and later evacuated to Germany in late August to Berlin's Charite hospital. "It is clear that if the events are not cleared up, if the necessary information is not provided, then targeted and proportionate sanctions against those responsible on the Russian side will be unavoidable," the German foreign minister added. Russia has firmly rejected allegations that its authorities were responsible for Navalny's poisoning. Maas added that he would be coordinating the joint response with European Union partners including the OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) to put its message in place. The Kremlin had earlier said that Russia was not developing chemical weapons and was complying fully with the arms control treaty that outlaws its production. OPCW had earlier declared that samples found on Alexei Navalny was in fact nerve agent from the banned Novichok family. OPCW had said that there was "no doubt" that Novichok nerve agent was used to poison Navalny. Britain and the United States had earlier asked Russia to investigate Navalny's poisoning.

'Targeted sanctions unavoidable': Germany warns Russia over Navalny poisoning

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.

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

Russia's opposition leader or Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny made his 1st video appearance after he was discharged from the Berlin hospital after allegedly "being poisoned".

Russia: Navalny makes his 1st video appearance after getting discharged from hospital

One-fifth of Russians now approve of poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, according to an opinion poll published on Friday, a figure more than twice as high as a year ago but one accompanied by a doubling of disapproval of his activities.

A vocal opponent of President Vladimir Putin, Navalny, 44, fell ill on a domestic flight in August and was airlifted to a Berlin hospital. Germany says he was poisoned with a rare nerve agent. Russia says it has seen no evidence he was poisoned.

His case has attracted attention worldwide and at home, with Western leaders demanding an explanation from the Kremlin over what happened.

According to the poll by the Levada Centre, conducted in late September, 20 per cent&nbsp;of respondents approve of Navalny's activities, while 50&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;do not. In 2019, his approval rating was 9 per cent, but the percentage of those who disapproved of him was also lower, at 25 per cent.

Of those who had heard about Navalny's poisoning, 55&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;said they did not believe it was a deliberate act

Russia's diplomatic mission to the EU last month quoted a previous survey putting Navalny's popularity at only 2&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;and commented that it would make no sense for Moscow to have poisoned a political opponent with so little support.

Navalny's chief of staff, Leonid Volkov, responded at the time: "It's as if they're saying 'If his rating was 20 per cent, then we would have poisoned him.'"

The Kremlin this week accused Navalny, who has vowed to return to Russia, of working with the CIA after Navalny said he believed Putin was behind the suspected poisoning.

"The problem for those in power is that discrediting Navalny doesn't automatically translate into some kind of affinity towards the Russian authorities," said political analysis firm R.Politik on Telegram.

"It's a false dichotomy: Putin or Navalny. Many don't like either."

Putin's approval rating dipped to 59&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in April, a two-decade low, but had recovered to 69 per cent&nbsp;as of Friday, Levada polling data showed.

One-fifth of Russians now approve of poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, according to an opinion poll published on Friday, a figure more than twice as high as a year ago but one accompanied by a doubling of disapproval of his activities.

One-fifth of Russians now approve of poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, according to an opinion poll published on Friday, a figure more than twice as high as a year ago but one accompanied by a doubling of disapproval of his activities. A vocal opponent of President Vladimir Putin, Navalny, 44, fell ill on a domestic flight in August and was airlifted to a Berlin hospital. Germany says he was poisoned with a rare nerve agent. Russia says it has seen no evidence he was poisoned. His case has attracted attention worldwide and at home, with Western leaders demanding an explanation from the Kremlin over what happened. According to the poll by the Levada Centre, conducted in late September, 20 per cent of respondents approve of Navalny's activities, while 50 per cent do not. In 2019, his approval rating was 9 per cent, but the percentage of those who disapproved of him was also lower, at 25 per cent. Of those who had heard about Navalny's poisoning, 55 per cent said they did not believe it was a deliberate act Russia's diplomatic mission to the EU last month quoted a previous survey putting Navalny's popularity at only 2 per cent and commented that it would make no sense for Moscow to have poisoned a political opponent with so little support. Navalny's chief of staff, Leonid Volkov, responded at the time: "It's as if they're saying 'If his rating was 20 per cent, then we would have poisoned him.'" The Kremlin this week accused Navalny, who has vowed to return to Russia, of working with the CIA after Navalny said he believed Putin was behind the suspected poisoning. "The problem for those in power is that discrediting Navalny doesn't automatically translate into some kind of affinity towards the Russian authorities," said political analysis firm R.Politik on Telegram. "It's a false dichotomy: Putin or Navalny. Many don't like either." Putin's approval rating dipped to 59 per cent in April, a two-decade low, but had recovered to 69 per cent as of Friday, Levada polling data showed.

Putin critic Navalny's approval rating surges in wake of poisoning

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

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.

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

German Chancellor Angela Merkel paid a personal visit to Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny while he was undergoing treatment in a Berlin hospital for poisoning, in what Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday called a "murderous attack".

German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Kremlin critic Navalny in hospital

Russia has denied producing or researching nerve agents known as Novichok. Russia was once believed to possess thousands of tonnes of weaponised Novichok varieties and their precursors. Watch report.

Russia denies producing Novichok: West spreading misinformation

Spokesperson of Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that neither Soviet Union nor Russia had developed or produced Novichok. The nerve agent was used to poison Alexei Navalny, political opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zakharova said that western countries had launched a "massive disinformation campaign" surrounding Navalny's poisoning. She also said that that there was no evidence of Russian involvement in Navalny's poisoning.

Alexei Navalny has now been discharged from hospital in Germany after more than a month's treatment for poisoning. Doctors have said that he may make a "full recovery". Navalny was kept in an induced coma for more than two weeks as he received treatment. His team has accused Kremlin of being behind the poisoning.&nbsp;

German chemical weapons experts have determined that Navalny was poisoned with Novichok. Independent tests carried out in Sweden and France have yielded the same.

Kremlin has repeatedly denied charges that it was behind Alexei Navalny's poisoning. On Wednesday, Kremlin said that Navalny was free to return to Russia.

"As regards his returning to Moscow, like any other Russian citizen, he is free to do so at any moment," Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman said, as reported by Russian news outlets.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-poisoned-opposition-leader-navalny-is-free-to-return-329645">Russia says poisoned opposition leader Navalny is 'free' to return</a> 
 
On September 15, Navalny's Spokesperson Kira Yarmysh confirmed that Navalny will return to Russia. "I'll confirm again to everyone: no other options were ever considered”, he said.

Meanwhile, Russia is still claiming that Navalny left Russia with no traces of poison in his body. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin said, "It is a fact that the moment Alexei Navalny left Russian territory there were no toxins in his system”.

Alexei Navalny was poisoned on August 20 before he took a flight from Tomsk to Moscow. He was kept under the care of Russian doctors before being flown to Germany for further treatment.

Spokesperson of Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that neither Soviet Union nor Russia had developed or produced Novichok. The nerve agent was used to poison Alexei Navalny, political opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Spokesperson of Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that neither Soviet Union nor Russia had developed or produced Novichok. The nerve agent was used to poison Alexei Navalny, political opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zakharova said that western countries had launched a "massive disinformation campaign" surrounding Navalny's poisoning. She also said that that there was no evidence of Russian involvement in Navalny's poisoning. Alexei Navalny has now been discharged from hospital in Germany after more than a month's treatment for poisoning. Doctors have said that he may make a "full recovery". Navalny was kept in an induced coma for more than two weeks as he received treatment. His team has accused Kremlin of being behind the poisoning. German chemical weapons experts have determined that Navalny was poisoned with Novichok. Independent tests carried out in Sweden and France have yielded the same. Kremlin has repeatedly denied charges that it was behind Alexei Navalny's poisoning. On Wednesday, Kremlin said that Navalny was free to return to Russia. "As regards his returning to Moscow, like any other Russian citizen, he is free to do so at any moment," Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman said, as reported by Russian news outlets. Also Read | Russia says poisoned opposition leader Navalny is 'free' to return On September 15, Navalny's Spokesperson Kira Yarmysh confirmed that Navalny will return to Russia. "I'll confirm again to everyone: no other options were ever considered”, he said. Meanwhile, Russia is still claiming that Navalny left Russia with no traces of poison in his body. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin said, "It is a fact that the moment Alexei Navalny left Russian territory there were no toxins in his system”. Alexei Navalny was poisoned on August 20 before he took a flight from Tomsk to Moscow. He was kept under the care of Russian doctors before being flown to Germany for further treatment.

Navalny poisoning: Russia denies developing nerve-agent Novichok

Russia’s opposition leader Alexei Navalny is welcome&nbsp;to return to Russia, the Kremlin announced on Wednesday, following the poisoned opposition leader’s discharge from a German hospital.

"As regards his returning to Moscow, like any other Russian citizen, he is free to do so at any moment," Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman said, as reported by Russian news outlets.

On September 15, Navalny's Spokesperson Kira Yarmysh confirmed that Navalny will return to Russia. "I'll confirm again to everyone: no other options were ever considered”, he said.

Meanwhile, Russia is still claiming that Navalny left Russia with no traces of poison in his body. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin said, "It is a fact that the moment Alexei Navalny left Russian territory there were no toxins in his system”.

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>

Alexei Navalny, the fierce Russian opposition leader is now recovering from an alleged poisoning. Mid-September, he had come out of a medically induced coma.

Now, he seems to be doing even better. The man who has garnered international attention in the recent weeks posted a picture from the hospital on September 15.

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.

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>

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.

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’s opposition leader Alexei Navalny is welcome to return to Russia, the Kremlin announced on Wednesday, following the poisoned opposition leader’s discharge from a German hospital.

Russia’s opposition leader Alexei Navalny is welcome to return to Russia, the Kremlin announced on Wednesday, following the poisoned opposition leader’s discharge from a German hospital. "As regards his returning to Moscow, like any other Russian citizen, he is free to do so at any moment," Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman said, as reported by Russian news outlets. On September 15, Navalny's Spokesperson Kira Yarmysh confirmed that Navalny will return to Russia. "I'll confirm again to everyone: no other options were ever considered”, he said. Meanwhile, Russia is still claiming that Navalny left Russia with no traces of poison in his body. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin said, "It is a fact that the moment Alexei Navalny left Russian territory there were no toxins in his system”. In Pics: The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned Alexei Navalny, the fierce Russian opposition leader is now recovering from an alleged poisoning. Mid-September, he had come out of a medically induced coma. Now, he seems to be doing even better. The man who has garnered international attention in the recent weeks posted a picture from the hospital on September 15. 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. In Pics: Mysterious Russian poison cases: Radioactive polonium, toxic nerve agent to chemicals 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. 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 says poisoned opposition leader Navalny is 'free' to return

Russian Opposition leader Alexi Navalny who was allegedly poisoned has been discharged from hospital after spending several weeks in a German hospital.

Watch:

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The German hospital said "complete recovery" was possible for the Russian leader.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/navalny-accuses-russia-of-withholding-an-important-piece-of-evidence-329190">Also Read:&nbsp;Navalny accuses Russia of withholding an 'important piece of evidence'</a>

"Based on the patient's progress and current condition, the treating physicians believe that complete recovery is possible," the German Charite hospital said in a statement. Navalny spent &nbsp;32 days in the hospital.

Navalny was admitted to hospital in Russia after he fell ill during a flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20 after allegedly being poisoned. He said that Western laboratories had found traces of Novichok nerve agent on his body.

"Two independent laboratories in France and Sweden and the Bundeswehr specialised laboratory confirmed the presence of Novichok in and on my body," the Russian leader said in his blog.&nbsp;

Navalny also demanded his clothes be returned which the Russian authorities had taken off when he was admitted to hospital and flown to Germany for treatment asserting that it was &nbsp;"important evidence".

"Taking into account that Novichok was found on my body, and poisoning through physical contact is highly likely, my clothes are a very important piece of evidence," he said in his blog, adding, "I demand my clothes be carefully packed in a plastic bag and returned to me."

Russian Opposition leader Alexi Navalny who was allegedly poisoned has been discharged from hospital after spending several weeks in a German hospital. Watch: The German hospital said "complete recovery" was possible for the Russian leader.

Russian Opposition leader Alexi Navalny who was allegedly poisoned has been discharged from hospital after spending several weeks in a German hospital. Watch: The German hospital said "complete recovery" was possible for the Russian leader. Also Read: Navalny accuses Russia of withholding an 'important piece of evidence' "Based on the patient's progress and current condition, the treating physicians believe that complete recovery is possible," the German Charite hospital said in a statement. Navalny spent 32 days in the hospital. Navalny was admitted to hospital in Russia after he fell ill during a flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20 after allegedly being poisoned. He said that Western laboratories had found traces of Novichok nerve agent on his body. "Two independent laboratories in France and Sweden and the Bundeswehr specialised laboratory confirmed the presence of Novichok in and on my body," the Russian leader said in his blog. Navalny also demanded his clothes be returned which the Russian authorities had taken off when he was admitted to hospital and flown to Germany for treatment asserting that it was "important evidence". "Taking into account that Novichok was found on my body, and poisoning through physical contact is highly likely, my clothes are a very important piece of evidence," he said in his blog, adding, "I demand my clothes be carefully packed in a plastic bag and returned to me."

German hospital releases Russian leader Navalny after Novichok poisoning

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny&nbsp;told Russia on Monday to hand over the clothes he was wearing when he fell into a coma last month and accused Moscow of withholding an important piece of evidence in his case.

Navalny, who is recovering in Berlin's Charite clinic, fell violently ill during a flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20. He spent two days in hospital in Russia before being airlifted to Germany.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/novichok-scientist-apologises-to-navalny-as-germany-finds-unequivocal-evidence-328910">Novichok scientist apologises to Navalny as Germany finds 'unequivocal evidence'</a>

"Before they allowed for me to be taken to Germany, they took off all my clothes and sent me completely naked," Navalny wrote on his website.

Navalny&nbsp;noted that Russia had still not opened an investigation and that Russian talk shows had suggested that Western intelligence officials or his own allies carried out the attack.&nbsp;

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"Taking into account that Novichok was found on my body, and poisoning through physical contact is highly likely, my clothes are a very important piece of evidence," he wrote.&nbsp;

"I demand my clothes be carefully packed in a plastic bag and returned to me."

Germany says tests in three countries have determined he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent and the West has demanded an explanation from Russia.

Russia has said it needs to see more evidence before a formal criminal investigation is opened into the Navalny case and has asked Germany to hand over Navalny's medical data so it can be reviewed.

Navalny supporters and European leaders have said that the poisoning using Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent, points to a state-sanctioned attack. But Kremlin has dismissed the claims as "absurd".

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny told Russia on Monday to hand over the clothes he was wearing when he fell into a coma last month and accused Moscow of withholding an important piece of evidence in his case.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny told Russia on Monday to hand over the clothes he was wearing when he fell into a coma last month and accused Moscow of withholding an important piece of evidence in his case. Navalny, who is recovering in Berlin's Charite clinic, fell violently ill during a flight from Siberia to Moscow on August 20. He spent two days in hospital in Russia before being airlifted to Germany. Also read: Novichok scientist apologises to Navalny as Germany finds 'unequivocal evidence' "Before they allowed for me to be taken to Germany, they took off all my clothes and sent me completely naked," Navalny wrote on his website. Navalny noted that Russia had still not opened an investigation and that Russian talk shows had suggested that Western intelligence officials or his own allies carried out the attack. "Taking into account that Novichok was found on my body, and poisoning through physical contact is highly likely, my clothes are a very important piece of evidence," he wrote. "I demand my clothes be carefully packed in a plastic bag and returned to me." Germany says tests in three countries have determined he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent and the West has demanded an explanation from Russia. Russia has said it needs to see more evidence before a formal criminal investigation is opened into the Navalny case and has asked Germany to hand over Navalny's medical data so it can be reviewed. Navalny supporters and European leaders have said that the poisoning using Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent, points to a state-sanctioned attack. But Kremlin has dismissed the claims as "absurd".

Navalny accuses Russia of withholding an 'important piece of evidence'

A member of developer group of Novichok combat poison, Vil Mirzayanov, has apologized to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has suffered from poisoning with this substance.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-critic-navalny-pictured-walking-downstairs-as-he-recovers-from-novichok-poisoning-328622">Also read | Kremlin critic Navalny pictured walking downstairs as he recovers from novichok poisoning</a> 
 
The scientist-chemist Mirzayanov, who was the first to reveal Novichok's development, in an interview with Russia's TV Rain on Saturday evening (Sept 19) said he wanted to apologise to Navalny after Germany said it found "unequivocal evidence" he was poisoned with Novichok.

"I sincerely apologize to Navalny for being involved in this criminal business - the development of this substance, which he poisoned himself with," Mirzayanov, who has been living in the United States since 1995, said.

The opposition politician on Saturday described his severe symptoms after falling ill on a plane on Aug 20, including the inability to form words, saying he still struggled to pour a glass of water or use a phone.

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.

Meanwhile, on September 19, Navalny was 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.

(With inputs from agencies)

A member of developer group of Novichok combat poison, Vil Mirzayanov, has apologized to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has suffered from poisoning with this substance.

A member of developer group of Novichok combat poison, Vil Mirzayanov, has apologized to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has suffered from poisoning with this substance. Also read | Kremlin critic Navalny pictured walking downstairs as he recovers from novichok poisoning The scientist-chemist Mirzayanov, who was the first to reveal Novichok's development, in an interview with Russia's TV Rain on Saturday evening (Sept 19) said he wanted to apologise to Navalny after Germany said it found "unequivocal evidence" he was poisoned with Novichok. "I sincerely apologize to Navalny for being involved in this criminal business - the development of this substance, which he poisoned himself with," Mirzayanov, who has been living in the United States since 1995, said. The opposition politician on Saturday described his severe symptoms after falling ill on a plane on Aug 20, including the inability to form words, saying he still struggled to pour a glass of water or use a phone. 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. Meanwhile, on September 19, Navalny was 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. (With inputs from agencies)

Novichok scientist apologises to Navalny as Germany finds 'unequivocal evidence'

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

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who was allegedly poisoned by the Russian authority, has claimed that he was poisoned in his hotel room, and not on the airport. 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. This theory has backtracked the earlier belief that he was poisoned at the airport.

Navalny's team: Alexei Navalny was poisoned through water bottle found in hotel

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.

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

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Top 10 world news: Navalny to fly to Russia, Joe Biden's app leak, and more!

Poisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is set to go back to Russia.

Navalny's Spokesperson Kira Yarmysh confirmed that Navalny will return to Russia. "I'll confirm again to everyone: no other options were ever considered”, he said.

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Все утро мне пишут журналисты и спрашивают, правда ли, что Алексей планирует вернуться в Россию. Я понимаю причину вопроса, но тем не менее мне странно, что кто-то мог думать иначе. 
Ещё раз подтверждаю всем: никаких других вариантов никогда не рассматривалось <a href="https://t.co/sSq5Bb4ufr">https://t.co/sSq5Bb4ufr</a>
— Кира Ярмыш (@Kira_Yarmysh) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kira_Yarmysh/status/1305817712766136327?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Russia is still playing coy, suggesting they have ‘questions’ for Germany over Navalny’s alleged poisoning.

The country is still claiming that Navalny left Russia with no traces of poison in his body. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin said, "It is a fact that the moment Alexei Navalny left Russian territory there were no toxins in his system”.&nbsp;

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>

"Therefore, we have many questions to the German side," he added.

Alexei Navalny, the fierce Russian opposition leader is now recovering from an alleged poisoning.&nbsp;Last week, he had come out of a medically induced coma.

Now, he seems to be doing even better. The man who has garnered international attention in the recent weeks posted a picture from the hospital on Tuesday.

"I miss you all"

"Hi, this is Navalny. I miss you all," he wrote on Instagram,. "I can still hardly do anything, but yesterday I could breathe all day on my own. Actually on my own”, he added.

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.

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>

As international pressure mounted, he was shifted to Berlin's Charite hospital.

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.

A cholinesterase inhibitor, it is part of a grouping of substances that the doctors had identified in Navalny after he was moved to Germany.

Poisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is set to go back to Russia. Navalny's Spokesperson Kira Yarmysh confirmed that Navalny will return to Russia. "I'll confirm again to everyone: no other options were ever considered”, he said.

Poisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is set to go back to Russia. Navalny's Spokesperson Kira Yarmysh confirmed that Navalny will return to Russia. "I'll confirm again to everyone: no other options were ever considered”, he said. Все утро мне пишут журналисты и спрашивают, правда ли, что Алексей планирует вернуться в Россию. Я понимаю причину вопроса, но тем не менее мне странно, что кто-то мог думать иначе. Ещё раз подтверждаю всем: никаких других вариантов никогда не рассматривалось https://t.co/sSq5Bb4ufr — Кира Ярмыш (@Kira_Yarmysh) September 15, 2020 × Russia is still playing coy, suggesting they have ‘questions’ for Germany over Navalny’s alleged poisoning. The country is still claiming that Navalny left Russia with no traces of poison in his body. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin said, "It is a fact that the moment Alexei Navalny left Russian territory there were no toxins in his system”. In Pics: The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned "Therefore, we have many questions to the German side," he added. Alexei Navalny, the fierce Russian opposition leader is now recovering from an alleged poisoning. Last week, he had come out of a medically induced coma. Now, he seems to be doing even better. The man who has garnered international attention in the recent weeks posted a picture from the hospital on Tuesday. "I miss you all" "Hi, this is Navalny. I miss you all," he wrote on Instagram,. "I can still hardly do anything, but yesterday I could breathe all day on my own. Actually on my own”, he added. 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. In Pics: Mysterious Russian poison cases: Radioactive polonium, toxic nerve agent to chemicals As international pressure mounted, he was shifted to Berlin's Charite hospital. 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. A cholinesterase inhibitor, it is part of a grouping of substances that the doctors had identified in Navalny after he was moved to Germany.

'No other options': Poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to fly back to Russia after treatment

Alexei Navalny, the fierce Russian opposition leader is now recovering from an alleged poisoning.&nbsp;Last week, he had come out of a medically induced coma.

Now, he seems to be doing even better. The man who has garnered international attention in the recent weeks posted a picture from the hospital on Tuesday.

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>

Sitting up in bed and surrounded by family, he told his followers and well-wishers that he was now able to breathe independently.

"Hi, this is Navalny. I miss you all," he wrote on Instagram,. "I can still hardly do anything, but yesterday I could breathe all day on my own. Actually on my own”, he added.

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<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>

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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.

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.

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>

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.

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.

Alexei Navalny, the fierce Russian opposition leader is now recovering from an alleged poisoning. Last week, he had come out of a medically induced coma. Now, he seems to be doing even better.

Alexei Navalny, the fierce Russian opposition leader is now recovering from an alleged poisoning. Last week, he had come out of a medically induced coma. Now, he seems to be doing even better. The man who has garnered international attention in the recent weeks posted a picture from the hospital on Tuesday. In Pics: Mysterious Russian poison cases: Radioactive polonium, toxic nerve agent to chemicals Sitting up in bed and surrounded by family, he told his followers and well-wishers that he was now able to breathe independently. "Hi, this is Navalny. I miss you all," he wrote on Instagram,. "I can still hardly do anything, but yesterday I could breathe all day on my own. Actually on my own”, he added. 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 × 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. 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. In Pics: The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned 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. 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.

Poisoned Russian critic Navalny shares a picture from the hospital, says he is now 'able to breathe'

Russia's political opposition Monday&nbsp;claimed a symbolic victory in regional elections that were dominated by pro-Kremlin candidates and marred by allegations of fraud. 
 
The vote was overshadowed by the alleged poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in the Siberian city of Tomsk during a trip to promote opposition candidates ahead of the ballot. 
 
Germany said Monday that lab tests in France and Sweden confirmed the Kremlin critic was attacked with a Novichok nerve agent in an incident French President Emmanuel Marcon described as "attempted murder" during a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-loans-15-billion-to-belarus-during-putin-lukashenko-talks-in-sochi-327506">Russia loans $1.5 billion to Belarus during Putin-Lukashenko talks in Sochi</a> 
 
The elections came a year ahead of a parliamentary ballot and were seen as a test for Putin as the ruling United Russia party faces sinking popularity and public anger over economic woes. 
 
Russians in dozens of the country's 85 regions voted from Friday to Sunday for governors and lawmakers in regional and city legislatures as well as in several by-elections for national MPs. 
 
Candidates from the ruling United Russia party that dominates the country's political landscape despite declining popularity claimed a majority of the seats. 
 
But Navalny's allies made unprecedented gains in highly anticipated city council votes in Siberian cities of Novosibirsk and Tomsk. 
 
In an effort to fight Putin's electoral machine, Navalny had urged voters back candidates against the ruling party. 
 
The 44-year-old lawyer and Kremlin critic was in Siberia promoting a "smart voting" campaign when he fell ill last month.&nbsp; 
 
His supporters believe the use of the banned chemical weapon shows that only the Russian state could be responsible.&nbsp; 
 
Putin on Monday condemned "unsubstantiated" accusations over Navalny's poisoning during a call with Macron and said Germany should hand over biological materials and coordinate with Russian doctors. 
 
Two allies of the opposition leader won parliament seats in Tomsk, the city where Navalny's allies say he drank tea that was laced with the nerve agent before a flight to Moscow. 
 
United Russia suffered heavy losses in the city of some 500,000, winning just 24.46 percent of the overall vote compared to 52.27 percent in 2015.

'Big blow' to United Russia 
Ksenia Fadeyeva, the 28-year-old head of Navalny's Tomsk office who won a city council seat, put her success down to the opposition leader's voting strategy saying, "we really campaigned under the Navalny brand". 
 
The result was "a big blow" to United Russia ahead of legislative elections of next year, she told AFP, and also disproved the myth that the opposition only has 2 or 3 percent support. 
 
"But the work continues. No time to rest yet," she said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-nuclear-missile-with-global-reach-is-capable-of-attacking-from-unexpected-directions-327492" hreflang="en">Russian nuclear missile with global reach is capable of 'unexpected' attacks</a> 
 
In Russia's third-largest city of Novosibirsk, which Navalny also visited before the vote, his ally Sergei Boyko won a seat on the local council beating out a veteran Communist Party candidate. 
 
United Russia lost 11 seats and their majority on the city council securing 22 places out of 50, with Navalny-backed candidates picking up five spots. 
 
United Russia chairman Dmitry Medvedev, however, praised Sunday the party's electoral successes, saying that exit polls showed it was heading for victory. 
 
Of 18 regions that voted for governors, 12 elected candidates from United Russia and the remainder chose figures aligned with traditionally Kremlin-friendly opposition parties. 
 
Vote organisers said they held the ballot between Friday and Sunday to limit new coronavirus infections. But the opposition countered that the move was a ploy to make it easier for the results to be fabricated. 
 
The independent election monitor group Golos said it had registered ballot stuffing complaints and received a "stream of reports" that observers were barred from viewing documents and submitting complaints, with conflicts sometimes ending in "fisticuffs". 
 
Chairwoman of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova however said Monday "there were no major violations" and that the vote had seen "fewer flaws than ever," according to the TASS news agency. 
 
The European Union denounced the vote held in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, saying it would not recognise "anybody elected in Russia-organised voting in the Crimean peninsula".&nbsp;

Russia's political opposition Monday claimed a symbolic victory in regional elections that were dominated by pro-Kremlin candidates and marred by allegations of fraud.

Russia's political opposition Monday claimed a symbolic victory in regional elections that were dominated by pro-Kremlin candidates and marred by allegations of fraud. The vote was overshadowed by the alleged poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in the Siberian city of Tomsk during a trip to promote opposition candidates ahead of the ballot. Germany said Monday that lab tests in France and Sweden confirmed the Kremlin critic was attacked with a Novichok nerve agent in an incident French President Emmanuel Marcon described as "attempted murder" during a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Also read: Russia loans $1.5 billion to Belarus during Putin-Lukashenko talks in Sochi The elections came a year ahead of a parliamentary ballot and were seen as a test for Putin as the ruling United Russia party faces sinking popularity and public anger over economic woes. Russians in dozens of the country's 85 regions voted from Friday to Sunday for governors and lawmakers in regional and city legislatures as well as in several by-elections for national MPs. Candidates from the ruling United Russia party that dominates the country's political landscape despite declining popularity claimed a majority of the seats. But Navalny's allies made unprecedented gains in highly anticipated city council votes in Siberian cities of Novosibirsk and Tomsk. In an effort to fight Putin's electoral machine, Navalny had urged voters back candidates against the ruling party. The 44-year-old lawyer and Kremlin critic was in Siberia promoting a "smart voting" campaign when he fell ill last month. His supporters believe the use of the banned chemical weapon shows that only the Russian state could be responsible. Putin on Monday condemned "unsubstantiated" accusations over Navalny's poisoning during a call with Macron and said Germany should hand over biological materials and coordinate with Russian doctors. Two allies of the opposition leader won parliament seats in Tomsk, the city where Navalny's allies say he drank tea that was laced with the nerve agent before a flight to Moscow. United Russia suffered heavy losses in the city of some 500,000, winning just 24.46 percent of the overall vote compared to 52.27 percent in 2015. 'Big blow' to United Russia Ksenia Fadeyeva, the 28-year-old head of Navalny's Tomsk office who won a city council seat, put her success down to the opposition leader's voting strategy saying, "we really campaigned under the Navalny brand". The result was "a big blow" to United Russia ahead of legislative elections of next year, she told AFP, and also disproved the myth that the opposition only has 2 or 3 percent support. "But the work continues. No time to rest yet," she said. Also read: Russian nuclear missile with global reach is capable of 'unexpected' attacks In Russia's third-largest city of Novosibirsk, which Navalny also visited before the vote, his ally Sergei Boyko won a seat on the local council beating out a veteran Communist Party candidate. United Russia lost 11 seats and their majority on the city council securing 22 places out of 50, with Navalny-backed candidates picking up five spots. United Russia chairman Dmitry Medvedev, however, praised Sunday the party's electoral successes, saying that exit polls showed it was heading for victory. Of 18 regions that voted for governors, 12 elected candidates from United Russia and the remainder chose figures aligned with traditionally Kremlin-friendly opposition parties. Vote organisers said they held the ballot between Friday and Sunday to limit new coronavirus infections. But the opposition countered that the move was a ploy to make it easier for the results to be fabricated. The independent election monitor group Golos said it had registered ballot stuffing complaints and received a "stream of reports" that observers were barred from viewing documents and submitting complaints, with conflicts sometimes ending in "fisticuffs". Chairwoman of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova however said Monday "there were no major violations" and that the vote had seen "fewer flaws than ever," according to the TASS news agency. The European Union denounced the vote held in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, saying it would not recognise "anybody elected in Russia-organised voting in the Crimean peninsula".

Navalny allies claim symbolic win in Russian regional vote

Russians vote on Sunday in dozens of local elections that will be scrutinised for signs of discontent with the ruling United Russia party following the suspected poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Navalny, 44, had hoped to undermine United Russia’s grip on regional power and had urged his supporters to vote against it tactically before he fell gravely ill in what Germany and his allies say was an attempt to kill him last month.

United Russia, which backs President Vladimir Putin, dominates regional politics, but the elections come at a time of public frustration over years of falling wages and the government’s handling of the pandemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/on-election-eve-several-thousand-join-anti-kremlin-rally-in-russian-far-east-327063">Also read:&nbsp;On election eve, several thousand join anti-Kremlin rally in Russian Far East</a>

Seen as a dry run for next September’s parliament elections, the regional polls will elect 18 governors and an array of local parliaments and city councils.

Early voting began on Friday after authorities stretched out the elections over three days, a move criticised by independent election watchdog Golos which warned the longer period would make it harder for monitors to catch fraud at polling stations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-police-seek-to-question-alexei-navalny-in-germany-326801">Also read:&nbsp;Russian police seek to question Alexei Navalny in Germany</a>

Navalny’s allies have pressed ahead with the Kremlin critic’s “smart voting” strategy, naming more than a thousand politicians on the ballots they think can beat ruling party candidates and telling their supporters to vote for them.

The strategy aims to disrupt a political system that often bars the Kremlin’s staunchest foes from running, while allowing softer candidates from the parliamentary parties to compete. Navalny has been unable to set up his own party.

The anti-corruption campaigner also has dozens of allies running in elections for seats in the city councils of Novosibirsk and Tomsk in Siberia.

There have been some signs of anti-Kremlin discontent in the regions.

Mass rallies in the far eastern city of Khabarovsk show no sign of abating two months after they flared over the arrest of a popular local governor who defeated United Russia’s candidate in an election upset in 2018.

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

Russians vote on Sunday in dozens of local elections that will be scrutinised for signs of discontent with the ruling United Russia party following the suspected poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Navalny, 44, had hoped to undermine United Russia’s grip on regional power and had urged his supporters to vote against it tactically before he fell gravely ill in what Germany and his allies say was an attempt to kill him last month. United Russia, which backs President Vladimir Putin, dominates regional politics, but the elections come at a time of public frustration over years of falling wages and the government’s handling of the pandemic. Also read: On election eve, several thousand join anti-Kremlin rally in Russian Far East Seen as a dry run for next September’s parliament elections, the regional polls will elect 18 governors and an array of local parliaments and city councils. Early voting began on Friday after authorities stretched out the elections over three days, a move criticised by independent election watchdog Golos which warned the longer period would make it harder for monitors to catch fraud at polling stations. Also read: Russian police seek to question Alexei Navalny in Germany Navalny’s allies have pressed ahead with the Kremlin critic’s “smart voting” strategy, naming more than a thousand politicians on the ballots they think can beat ruling party candidates and telling their supporters to vote for them. The strategy aims to disrupt a political system that often bars the Kremlin’s staunchest foes from running, while allowing softer candidates from the parliamentary parties to compete. Navalny has been unable to set up his own party. The anti-corruption campaigner also has dozens of allies running in elections for seats in the city councils of Novosibirsk and Tomsk in Siberia. There have been some signs of anti-Kremlin discontent in the regions. Mass rallies in the far eastern city of Khabarovsk show no sign of abating two months after they flared over the arrest of a popular local governor who defeated United Russia’s candidate in an election upset in 2018.

Russians vote in local elections targeted by Kremlin critic Navalny

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

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Germany approves Russian request to assist in Navalny probe Germany has approved a request from Russia for legal assistance in the probe into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny | READ MORE India, China made useful decision on de-escalation at the border: Russia India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi's meet will give "political guidance" on disengagement process which both sides have agreed in Moscow | READ MORE Russia says it's not seeking to interfere in other countries' electoral processes Russia is not seeking to interfere in the electoral processes of other countries around the world, nor has it in the past, the Kremlin said on Friday | READ MORE US: Death toll of West Coast wildfires rises to 9; 500,000 ordered to evacuate in Oregon At least nine people were killed and hundreds of thousands evacuated as wildfires continue to impact US West Coast states on Thursday | READ MORE White House decision to relocate flag remembering POWs sparks anger Groups of US armed forces veterans and several lawmakers have expressed displeasure and anger over a decision taken by White House to relocate a flag remembering Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) | READ MORE Kim Jong Un once showed off executed uncle's headless body, Trump says The headless body of Kim Jong Un's executed uncle was once displayed to senior North Korean officials, US President Donald Trump told the author of an upcoming biographical book | READ MORE Britain clinches first major trade deal since leaving the EU Britain has reached a free trade agreement with Japan, its first since leaving the European Union earlier this year | READ MORE Despite California wildfire debacle, Dubai couple hosts lavish gender reveal party Dubai-based Syrian influencers Anas and Asala Marwah on Tuesday hosted a gender reveal party at one of the world's tallest buildings, Burj Khalifa | READ MORE US journalist defends decision for halt in publishing Trump's remarks on coronavirus crisis Prominent US journalist Bob Woodward was forced to defend himself following claims in his book on US President Donald Trump that said that Trump downplayed the coronavirus crisis despite knowing its severity | READ MORE Black activists take Congolese statue from Dutch museum A group of activists took a Congolese funeral statue from a Dutch museum, saying they were recovering art looted during the colonial era.

Germany approves Russian request to assist in Navalny probe Germany has approved a request from Russia for legal assistance in the probe into the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny | READ MORE India, China made useful decision on de-escalation at the border: Russia India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi's meet will give "political guidance" on disengagement process which both sides have agreed in Moscow | READ MORE Russia says it's not seeking to interfere in other countries' electoral processes Russia is not seeking to interfere in the electoral processes of other countries around the world, nor has it in the past, the Kremlin said on Friday | READ MORE US: Death toll of West Coast wildfires rises to 9; 500,000 ordered to evacuate in Oregon At least nine people were killed and hundreds of thousands evacuated as wildfires continue to impact US West Coast states on Thursday | READ MORE White House decision to relocate flag remembering POWs sparks anger Groups of US armed forces veterans and several lawmakers have expressed displeasure and anger over a decision taken by White House to relocate a flag remembering Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) | READ MORE Kim Jong Un once showed off executed uncle's headless body, Trump says The headless body of Kim Jong Un's executed uncle was once displayed to senior North Korean officials, US President Donald Trump told the author of an upcoming biographical book | READ MORE Britain clinches first major trade deal since leaving the EU Britain has reached a free trade agreement with Japan, its first since leaving the European Union earlier this year | READ MORE Despite California wildfire debacle, Dubai couple hosts lavish gender reveal party Dubai-based Syrian influencers Anas and Asala Marwah on Tuesday hosted a gender reveal party at one of the world's tallest buildings, Burj Khalifa | READ MORE US journalist defends decision for halt in publishing Trump's remarks on coronavirus crisis Prominent US journalist Bob Woodward was forced to defend himself following claims in his book on US President Donald Trump that said that Trump downplayed the coronavirus crisis despite knowing its severity | READ MORE Black activists take Congolese statue from Dutch museum A group of activists took a Congolese funeral statue from a Dutch museum, saying they were recovering art looted during the colonial era. The entire sequence of events was streamed on Facebook | READ MORE

Top ten world news today: Germany to assist in Navalny probe, Russia denies links with US election and more

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

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

When Russia poisoned Opposition leader Alexei&nbsp;Navalny, not in its wildest dreams would it have thought that the attack on a critic would hurt Kremlin economically.

Russian diplomats were expelled post the Skripal poisoning and in the worst-case scenario, something similar would have followed Navalny's poisoning.

However, Kremlin forgot to look under the Baltic Sea. The Russian nerve agent may be killing the Nord Stream 2, the pipeline from Russia to Germany is almost complete but Berlin is threatening to put a hold to it and wants to negotiate - cooperate in Navalny's probe, else Berlin will suspend the Nord Stream 2.

German foreign minister Heiko Mass has warned to Kremlin.

"I hope the Russians won't force us to change our position regarding the Nord Stream 2," Mass said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel endorsed the foreign minister's view.

"The Chancellor shares the remarks made by the foreign minister over the weekend," Steffen Seibert, German government spokesman, said.

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There is domestic pressure on Merkel to pursue hard politics. Senior German leaders want Berlin to respond to Navalny's poisoning in perhaps the only language that Putin understands - money.

As Alexei Navalny comes out of the medically-induced coma, the 9.5 billion Euro Nord Stream 2 is staring at life support. The twin pipeline project is 2,460 km long and 2,300 km has already been completed.

The pipeline goes under the Baltic Sea and it is designed to send Russian gas to Germany and the rest of Europe. Moscow is looking at sending 110 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually.

Currently, Russia supplies 34 per cent of European gas with the Nord Stream 2, the number would touch 40 per cent.

The project is led by Russian company Gazprom and it is expected to start operating in early 2021. The pipeline has survived a lot of attacks - the US sanctioned the project in 2019&nbsp;since it is a big threat to Washington with the export of gas to Europe.

The European Union itself is divided on the Nord Stream 2. Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic states believe it will increase the bloc's reliance on Russia. Merkel stood strong against all these objections with pandemic reducing energy demands, and the German economy dipping the question is whether the German Chancellor can separate politics from economy.

Germany could really use some brownie points on human rights.

When Russia poisoned Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, not in its wildest dreams would it have thought that the attack on a critic would hurt Kremlin economically.

When Russia poisoned Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, not in its wildest dreams would it have thought that the attack on a critic would hurt Kremlin economically. Russian diplomats were expelled post the Skripal poisoning and in the worst-case scenario, something similar would have followed Navalny's poisoning. However, Kremlin forgot to look under the Baltic Sea. The Russian nerve agent may be killing the Nord Stream 2, the pipeline from Russia to Germany is almost complete but Berlin is threatening to put a hold to it and wants to negotiate - cooperate in Navalny's probe, else Berlin will suspend the Nord Stream 2. German foreign minister Heiko Mass has warned to Kremlin. "I hope the Russians won't force us to change our position regarding the Nord Stream 2," Mass said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel endorsed the foreign minister's view. "The Chancellor shares the remarks made by the foreign minister over the weekend," Steffen Seibert, German government spokesman, said. × There is domestic pressure on Merkel to pursue hard politics. Senior German leaders want Berlin to respond to Navalny's poisoning in perhaps the only language that Putin understands - money. As Alexei Navalny comes out of the medically-induced coma, the 9.5 billion Euro Nord Stream 2 is staring at life support. The twin pipeline project is 2,460 km long and 2,300 km has already been completed. The pipeline goes under the Baltic Sea and it is designed to send Russian gas to Germany and the rest of Europe. Moscow is looking at sending 110 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually. Currently, Russia supplies 34 per cent of European gas with the Nord Stream 2, the number would touch 40 per cent. The project is led by Russian company Gazprom and it is expected to start operating in early 2021. The pipeline has survived a lot of attacks - the US sanctioned the project in 2019 since it is a big threat to Washington with the export of gas to Europe. The European Union itself is divided on the Nord Stream 2. Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic states believe it will increase the bloc's reliance on Russia. Merkel stood strong against all these objections with pandemic reducing energy demands, and the German economy dipping the question is whether the German Chancellor can separate politics from economy. Germany could really use some brownie points on human rights.

Germany threatens to put Nord Stream 2 project on hold as Russia fails to cooperate in Navalny probe

Russia's foreign minister criticized Germany on Wednesday over its handling of official requests by Moscow about the condition of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Navalny, an opponent of President Vladimir Putin, is being treated in a Berlin hospital where he was taken after falling ill on a Russian domestic flight.

Germany says he was poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok. Russia has said it has seen no evidence he was poisoned.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-and-russia-refuse-to-budge-on-stance-over-navalny-poisoning-325755">Germany and Russia refuse to budge on stance over Navalny poisoning</a>

"We have gathered a lot of questions for our German colleagues on the completely inappropriate attitude towards official requests we send to Berlin," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a news conference.

Germany's ambassador to Moscow was due to visit the foreign ministry later on Wednesday.

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Lavrov added that Russia was dissatisfied with the "absolutely unacceptable tone" in which he said Germany was communicating its position to the global community.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday Russia needs to see the analysis that indicates Navalny was poisoned before it can open an investigation.

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>

A spokesman for German&nbsp;Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday said the country&nbsp;will not rule out consequences for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project if Russia fails to thoroughly investigate the incident.

Asked whether Merkel would protect the multi-billion-euro pipeline from Russia to Europe if Germany were to seek sanctions over the Navalny case, spokesman Steffen Seibert said: "The chancellor believes it would be wrong to rule anything out from the start."

Nord Stream 2, an $11-billion&nbsp;pipeline near completion beneath the Baltic Sea, is set to double Russian natural-gas shipments to Germany, Europe's largest economy.

It has long been in the crosshairs of the United States, which has criticised European countries for their reliance on energy from Russia.

Russia's foreign minister criticized Germany on Wednesday over its handling of official requests by Moscow about the condition of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Navalny, an opponent of President Vladimir Putin, is being treated in a Berlin hospital where he was taken after falling ill on a Russian domestic flight.

Russia's foreign minister criticized Germany on Wednesday over its handling of official requests by Moscow about the condition of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Navalny, an opponent of President Vladimir Putin, is being treated in a Berlin hospital where he was taken after falling ill on a Russian domestic flight. Germany says he was poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok. Russia has said it has seen no evidence he was poisoned. Also read: Germany and Russia refuse to budge on stance over Navalny poisoning "We have gathered a lot of questions for our German colleagues on the completely inappropriate attitude towards official requests we send to Berlin," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a news conference. Germany's ambassador to Moscow was due to visit the foreign ministry later on Wednesday. Lavrov added that Russia was dissatisfied with the "absolutely unacceptable tone" in which he said Germany was communicating its position to the global community. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday Russia needs to see the analysis that indicates Navalny was poisoned before it can open an investigation. Also see: The curious case of Russian Kremlin critics who were allegedly poisoned A spokesman for 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. Asked whether Merkel would protect the multi-billion-euro pipeline from Russia to Europe if Germany were to seek sanctions over the Navalny case, spokesman Steffen Seibert said: "The chancellor believes it would be wrong to rule anything out from the start." Nord Stream 2, an $11-billion pipeline near completion beneath the Baltic Sea, is set to double Russian natural-gas shipments to Germany, Europe's largest economy. It has long been in the crosshairs of the United States, which has criticised European countries for their reliance on energy from Russia.

Russia calls Germany's handling of requests on Navalny 'inappropriate'

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