German doctors: Analysis indicates Navalny was poisoned

Berlin, Aug 24 (efe-epa).- German doctors treating Alexei Navalny in Berlin on Monday said there were indications the Russian opposition figurehead had probably been poisoned.

Navlany was transferred to the Charite university hospital in Berlin from the Siberian city of Omsk on Friday a day after he fell into a coma after drinking tea his supporters believe was laced with poison.

He remains in a medically-induced coma and is in a serious condition, although his life is not in acute danger, German medics said in a statement.

“Clinical findings indicate poisoning with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors,” the statement added.

“The specific substance involved remains unknown, and a further series of comprehensive testing has been initiated.”

The medical team said Navalny was being treated with antidote atropine but warned that the clinical outcome of the treatment was uncertain and that long-term consequences, such as damage to the nervous system, could not be ruled out.

Doctors treating Navalny before his transfer from the Omsk hospital suggested he had suffered from an acute metabolic disorder in a statement that was widely questioned by the Kremlin-critic’s supporters.

The hospital in the Siberian city signed off on Navlany’s transfer over 12 hours after he was first admitted following a stand-off with his family and entourage.

Navalny is Russia’s most prominent opponent of President Vladimir Putin and had been traveling through Siberia to show support to associates ahead of local elections.

He himself was banned from running against Putin in the 2018 election after charges of embezzlement, which his team insisted were purely political, were brought against him.