Was anti-Putin activist Alexei Navalny poisoned?

Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny was hospitalized Wednesday for an "allergic reaction," following his arrest during mass protests against election authorities in Moscow, according to his spokeswoman. Navalny's personal doctor later wrote on Facebook that she does not believe he is suffering from an allergic reaction, but the effects of "undefined chemical substances."

Why it matters: Navalny is an anti-corruption lawyer whose fierce opposition to Vladimir Putin has caused him to be arrested and jailed by Russian authorities a number of times. Navalny's spokeswoman says he has never had an allergic reaction in his life, raising questions about whether his illness could in fact be the product of political retaliation. Putin has been accused of poisoning or having political opponents assassinated in the past.

Police reportedly did not want Navalny to be transported to the hospital, and relented only when the ambulance crew threatened to make a scene, according to Navalny's spokeswoman.

About 20 journalists who showed up at the hospital where Navalny is being treated have been detained by police, according to Russian media.


https://www.axios.com/alexei-navalny-vladimir-putin-allergic-reaction-bce8ccc8-753c-43d4-ac2b-4d677f4679c1.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic

Link to tweet

Navalny's doctor managed to take hair and a shirt from him when she briefly saw him at the hospital, and said she would try to send them to Europe for analysis.