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RUSSIA-POLITICS-OPPOSITION
Putin critic Navalny hospitalised after ‘allergic reaction’ in jail
MOSCOW, July 29, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny
who was taken from jail to hospital suffering an allergic reaction could have
been exposed to an “unknown chemical substance”, his doctor said.
The Putin critic is serving a 30-day jail sentence for calling a mass
protest after authorities blocked prominent opposition candidates from taking
part in Moscow city elections.
His spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh on Sunday said he was receiving treatment for
a “severe allergic reaction”.
His personal physician Anastassia Vassilieva later said on Facebook after
visiting Navalny in hospital that he was suffering with swollen eyelids and
multiple abscesses on his neck, back, torso and elbows.
“We can’t rule out that his skin has been exposed to a toxin and been
damaged by an unknown chemical substance from a third person,” she said,
adding that Navalny has never had any allergies.
Ealier in the day Yarmysh said the source of the allergic reaction had not
been determined.
“He is currently in the ward under the supervision of police officers. He
is being provided with the necessary medical assistance,” she added.
Navalny hoped to stand against President Vladimir Putin in an election last
year but was barred because of a fraud conviction he and supporters say was
politically motivated.
The 43-year-old has served several short jail sentences over his protest
activity.
Two years ago, Navalny had to travel to Spain for surgery after a street
attack left him nearly blind in one eye.
Sunday’s hospitalisation came a day after almost 1,400 people were arrested
at the demonstration the opposition leader had called.
Leonid Volkov, Navalny’s former campaign manager, said he had a similar
reaction after he served a sentence in the same cell last month for violating
protest laws.
He rejected talk of a “conspiracy”, calling instead for a “serious
inspection” of hygiene standards at the jail, in a tweet posted Sunday.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0829 hrs