Russian dissident Alexei Navalny allegedly poisoned in prison
Russian dissident Alexei Navalny's health is reportedly deteriorating while he is on trial under arrest. His spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, has said that Navalny was not eating because the prison food made his stomach ache worse. Yarmysh stated that they suspect Navalny was gradually poisoned through his prison food, and that he had lost 8 kilograms in the last 15 days. An ambulance was called for Navalny on Friday due to severe stomach pain, which came as a surprise because he had never experienced anything like this before.
Navalny, a prominent opposition leader, gained worldwide fame through his blog, which exposed cases of corruption and abuse by Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin's inner circle, and was arrested and imprisoned many times for his opposition to Putin. He was convicted of embezzlement in 2014. Navalny was poisoned with a nerve agent in 2020, was treated in Germany for months before returning to Russia, and was subsequently arrested and sentenced to prison.
While Navalny's imprisonment sparked protests and condemnation from around the world, many countries, including the United States, called for Navalny's release and an investigation into his poisoning. Navalny's case has become a symbol of the struggle for political freedom and human rights in Russia.
As Navalny's health continues to deteriorate, it is imperative that he receives proper medical care and that an investigation is conducted into the suspected poisoning. The international community must continue to speak out against the violation of human rights and political freedoms in Russia and support those who are fighting for change.
