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Germany Says 'Fairly Likely' Alexei Navalny Was Poisoned

VOA News

   The German government says it believes that Russian dissident Alexei
   Navalny was possibly the target of a poison attack.

   Speaking to reports at a regular press conference on Monday, Chancellor
   Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said it is "fairly likely"
   that the Russian opposition politician was poisoned, adding that
   "because there is a certain probability of a poison attack," personal
   protection of Navalny is "necessary."

   Navalny, who was flying to Moscow from Siberia Thursday, fell ill
   during the flight, prompting the plane to make an emergency landing in
   Omsk, Siberia. His aide said Navalny had drunk black tea at an airport
   cafe.'¯'¯'¯

   Supporters of Navalny, a well-known critic of Russian President
   Vladimir Putin, believe the tea was laced with poison.'¯'¯

   Navalny's wife and an associate visited him at Charite Hospital in
   Berlin on Sunday.'¯

   Yulia Navalnaya and the aide did not speak to reporters as they entered
   the German capital's main hospital to see Navalny. He is in an induced
   coma and breathing with the aid of a ventilator.'¯'¯

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