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Alexei Navalny: Jailed Russian opposition head taken to hospital Alexei Navalny: Jailed Russian opposition head taken to hospital
(about 2 hours later)
Russia's most prominent opposition figure, Alexei Navalny, has been taken from jail to a hospital in Moscow. Doctors for Russia's most prominent opposition figure, Alexei Navalny, are conducting tests to figure out the cause of his sudden illness.
Officials said Mr Navalny was in a satisfactory condition but his personal doctor said he may have been poisoned. Mr Navalny fell ill in jail on Sunday.
His spokeswoman earlier suggested he may have have had an allergic reaction, but she said he had not experienced one before. Initial reports suggested that he had suffered an acute allergic reaction, resulting in a swollen face, eye problems and rashes on his body.
However, Mr Navalny's personal doctor said on Sunday he'd never suffered from allergies before, and that he may have been exposed to "some toxic agent".
His medical team said they were able to gain access to him on Monday, and had arranged for samples of his hair and T-shirt to be tested independently.
Mr Navalny was jailed for 30 days last week after calling for unauthorised protests, which took place on Saturday.Mr Navalny was jailed for 30 days last week after calling for unauthorised protests, which took place on Saturday.
Nearly 1,400 people were detained during the demonstrations against the exclusion of opposition candidates from local elections.Nearly 1,400 people were detained during the demonstrations against the exclusion of opposition candidates from local elections.
The European Union criticised the "disproportionate" use of force against the protesters, saying it undermined the "fundamental freedoms of expression, association and assembly".The European Union criticised the "disproportionate" use of force against the protesters, saying it undermined the "fundamental freedoms of expression, association and assembly".
'A thorn in the Kremlin's side'
Alexei Navalny is Russia's most prominent opposition activist - and one of President Putin's most vocal critics.
That's why news of a sudden illness makes headlines.
Especially if it's a sudden illness contracted in a Moscow jail.
There's been no confirmation that Mr Navalny was poisoned. But his doctors - and his supporters - are keen to know what sparked such sudden symptoms.
He is no stranger to health scares. Two years ago Mr Navalny was the victim of an assault. He suffered a chemical burn in his right eye after someone threw green-coloured antiseptic in his face.
He is a constant thorn in the Kremlin's side. The authorities know that, with President Putin's personal ratings falling, the charismatic anti-corruption activist has the ability to mobilise anti-Kremlin sentiment.
But it's too early to conclude that his current state of health is connected to his political views or activities.
Media reports said about 20 people, including journalists, were also detained after gathering outside the prison hospital on Sunday night where Mr Navalny was being treated.Media reports said about 20 people, including journalists, were also detained after gathering outside the prison hospital on Sunday night where Mr Navalny was being treated.
Russian media report that most of the activists detained over the weekend have now been released.
However, about 150 were still in custody on Monday. They are facing judicial hearings and may be charged in connection with the unauthorised rally.
What do we know about Mr Navalny's condition?What do we know about Mr Navalny's condition?
While in prison over the weekend, Mr Navalny reportedly began suffering from acute swelling, discharge from his eye and rashes on his neck, back, chest and wrists.While in prison over the weekend, Mr Navalny reportedly began suffering from acute swelling, discharge from his eye and rashes on his neck, back, chest and wrists.
His former campaign manager, Leonid Volkov, said he recalled having a similar reaction while serving a prison sentence in the same jail cell for breaking protest laws.His former campaign manager, Leonid Volkov, said he recalled having a similar reaction while serving a prison sentence in the same jail cell for breaking protest laws.
The hospital described Mr Navalny's condition as satisfactory.The hospital described Mr Navalny's condition as satisfactory.
Mr Navalny's personal doctor, Anastasia Vassilieva, said earlier that none of the opposition figure's family or lawyers had been told his diagnosis.Mr Navalny's personal doctor, Anastasia Vassilieva, said earlier that none of the opposition figure's family or lawyers had been told his diagnosis.
In a Facebook post, Ms Vassilieva complained that she had been barred from visiting Mr Navalny. But based on what she saw of him through a door, she said he may have been injured by a "chemical substance from a third person".In a Facebook post, Ms Vassilieva complained that she had been barred from visiting Mr Navalny. But based on what she saw of him through a door, she said he may have been injured by a "chemical substance from a third person".
She said that her suspicions were being fuelled by "certain officials... acting strange". She said that her suspicions were being fuelled by "certain officials... acting strangely".
"No one is looking for the cause [of his illness], doctors are denied access. There are lies all around," she wrote."No one is looking for the cause [of his illness], doctors are denied access. There are lies all around," she wrote.
Who is Alexei Navalny?Who is Alexei Navalny?
The 43-year-old made his name in Russia as a grassroots anti-corruption campaigner.The 43-year-old made his name in Russia as a grassroots anti-corruption campaigner.
He led the country's biggest street protests against President Putin in 2011 and has repeatedly been jailed, usually for his involvement in unauthorised demonstrations.He led the country's biggest street protests against President Putin in 2011 and has repeatedly been jailed, usually for his involvement in unauthorised demonstrations.
Mr Navalny suffered a serious chemical burn to his right eye in 2017 after he was assaulted with antiseptic dye.Mr Navalny suffered a serious chemical burn to his right eye in 2017 after he was assaulted with antiseptic dye.
He attempted to stand in last year's presidential race but was barred because of previous fraud convictions in a case he says was politically motivated.He attempted to stand in last year's presidential race but was barred because of previous fraud convictions in a case he says was politically motivated.
What happened during the protests?What happened during the protests?
Thousands of Russians took to the streets last Saturday to demand fair elections. The demonstrations came after 30 opposition candidates were barred from standing in local races this September.Thousands of Russians took to the streets last Saturday to demand fair elections. The demonstrations came after 30 opposition candidates were barred from standing in local races this September.
Officials said the candidates had failed to collect enough valid signatures to stand, but opposition groups argued that the barring was politically motivated.Officials said the candidates had failed to collect enough valid signatures to stand, but opposition groups argued that the barring was politically motivated.
Mr Navalny helped to organise the demonstrations. Officials said they had arrested nearly 1,400 people - making it one of the biggest crackdowns in recent years.Mr Navalny helped to organise the demonstrations. Officials said they had arrested nearly 1,400 people - making it one of the biggest crackdowns in recent years.
Images from Saturday showed police in riot gear pushing crowds from the mayor's office in central Moscow.Images from Saturday showed police in riot gear pushing crowds from the mayor's office in central Moscow.
A number of protesters could be seen bleeding, while at least two members of the security forces reportedly received eye injuries from pepper spray.A number of protesters could be seen bleeding, while at least two members of the security forces reportedly received eye injuries from pepper spray.