Russian doctor: initially suspected that Navalny had been poisoned | Abroad

Navalny’s seriously deteriorated health has increased international tensions. The Russian opposition leader later flew to Charité hospital in Berlin for treatment. There, doctors determined that he had been poisoned with a novichok nerve poison, which was developed in the former Soviet Union. However, according to Russia, there is no evidence for this.

The chief toxicologist at the hospital in Omsk, Russia, where Navalny was admitted, says they suspected poisoning during the first hours and treated him accordingly. He was put into a coma and put on a ventilator, Alexander Sabaev says. He was also given the emergency drug atropine.

Not a novichok

But the laboratory tests then ruled out that Navalny was poisoned, says Sabaev, who now assumes he suffered from a metabolic disorder. “As a toxicologist I am sure. There was no novichok present. ”

Navalny became unwell – he suddenly groaned in pain – during a flight on August 20 from Siberia to Moscow. Two medical sources say to Reuters news agency that the first aid Navalny received saved his life. The same applies to the pilot’s decision to make an emergency landing in Omsk.

Cup of tea

People from Navalny’s area say that the opposition leader drank tea that had been poisoned prior to the flight. At the urging of his family, friends and Western leaders, Navalny was taken to Germany for treatment by ambulance flight.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has asked Russia for clarification and is not ruling out sanctions. Moscow on Sunday accused Berlin of not offering evidence. US President Trump also says he is still waiting for additional information.

–