Poisoned Russian Opposition Leader, Navalny Recovers, Reveals Next Move

Alexei Navalny, the poisoned Russian opposition figure who has partially recovered from a poisoning is to return to Russia, his spokeswoman has announced.

“It’s puzzling to me why anyone should think otherwise,” Kira Yarmysh posted on Twitter.

Mr Navalny also posted a picture on Instagram for the first time since he was poisoned, announcing that he was breathing free of ventilation.

He fell into a coma on a flight from Siberia on 20 August. Tests have shown he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent.

He was air lifted to the Charité hospital in the German capital, Berlin.

His team alleges he was poisoned on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin denies any involvement.

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“All morning journalists have been writing to me and asking, is it true that Alexei plans to return to Russia?” Ms Yarmysh wrote.

“Again I can confirm to everyone: no other options were ever considered.”

The announcement came shortly after Mr Navalny took to Instagram.

“Hi, this is Navalny. I have been missing you. I still can’t do much, but yesterday I managed to breathe on my own for the entire day,” he wrote.

“Just on my own, no extra help, not even a valve in my throat. I liked it very much. It’s a remarkable process that is underestimated by many. Strongly recommended.”

There is a modest police presence outside the hospital where Mr Navalny is being treated, according to reports from the scene.

There are two armed officers by one entrance and a police van that has been stationed outside for days, our correspondent says.

Unconfirmed reports in German media suggest two further armed police units have been set up inside – outside the ward and by the politician’s bed.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has ruled out a meeting between Mr Navalny and Mr Putin after the opposition figure recovers.

“We do not see the need for such a meeting, so I believe that such a meeting will not take place,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the Interfax news agency.