Extract from ABC News
Poisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has mocked reports involving Vladimir Putin after being discharged from the German hospital he was airlifted to while in a coma.
Key points:
- Mr Navalny's condition has improved enough for him to be discharged from acute inpatient care
- He received treatment for a total of 32 days, of which 24 were spent in intensive care
- Tests in Germany, France and Sweden have determined he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent
Berlin's Charite hospital said Mr Navalny's condition has improved enough to him to be discharged from acute inpatient care.
The 44-year-old received treatment for a total of 32 days, of which 24 were spent in intensive care, after falling ill on a domestic flight in Siberia.
He wrote a sarcastic post following reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin allegedly said Mr Navalny could have poisoned himself.
The French daily Le Monde reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources, that Mr Putin suggested to French President Emmanuel Macron in a phone call that Mr Navalny may have poisoned himself and that he had faked illnesses in the past.
"But Putin outplayed me.
"He's no pushover. In the end, I lay in a coma for 18 days like a fool, but I wasn't able to get my way. The provocation was thwarted!"
The German Government says tests in Germany, France and Sweden have determined he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent.
Western Governments have demanded an explanation from Russia.
Moscow said it is yet to see evidence of a crime and has declined to open an investigation so far, instead opening a pre-investigation probe.
The Kremlin has denied any involvement.
"Based on the patient's progress and current condition, the treating physicians believe that complete recovery is possible," the hospital said in a statement on Mr Navalny's condition.
"The decision to make details of Mr Navalny's condition public was made in consultation with the patient and his wife," the hospital said.
In an Instagram post on Saturday, Mr Navalny said he had difficulties using his phone, pouring water or climbing stairs because his hands failed him and his legs trembled.
On Monday, he told Russia to hand over the clothes he was wearing when he fell into the coma and accused Moscow of withholding an important piece of evidence in his case.
The outspoken opponent of President Vladimir Putin said his clothes were taken away from him before he was flown to Germany for treatment from Siberia.
Mr Navalny said he planned to have physiotherapy every day and could to regain his motor skills, including the full use of his left hand.
In a social media post on Wednesday, Mr Navalny said he was learning to regain his balance by standing on one leg.
He also thanked doctors for the treatment he had received.
His team has said he eventually planned to return to Russia, but had no immediate statement after his release from the hospital.
The Kremlin said he was free to return like any other citizen.
Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin was pleased to see Mr Navalny was making a recovery and had been discharged from hospital.
Wires/ABC
No comments:
Post a Comment