Alexei Navalny, an enemy of Putin, all poisoned: reports

Alexei Navalny, the man seen as one of the top critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the country, was poisoned during a flight from Siberia to Moscow and has been hospitalized ever since.

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Arkady Ostrovsky, editor of the Russian magazine The Economist, said the plane made an emergency landing about halfway through the flight, according to Navalny’s press secretary.

The Kremlin did not immediately issue a statement. The Daily Beast reported that Kira Yarmish, Navalny’s press secretary, said he was poisoned with some kind of toxin and was conscious.

“We assume that Alexei was poisoned with something that mixed in his tea. That was the only thing he drank this morning. The doctors said that the toxin was absorbed faster because of the hot liquid. At the moment Alexei is unconscious, “she said, according to the report.

Alexey Navalny, Russian opposition leader, walks with protesters during a rally in Moscow, Russia, on Saturday, February 29, 2019.]Andrey Rudakov / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Russian authorities have recently opened a criminal case against Navalny for claiming to be a World War II veteran. The case announced Monday by the commission of inquiry stems from comments Navalny posted on social media about a video on Kremlin-backed RT television.

In it, several prominent Russians speak in favor of the July 1 referendum on constitutional reform that would allow Putin to run for two more terms. Among the shows was Ignat Artemenko, a 93-year-old WWII veteran.

Navalny’s post criticized the people in the video as “without conscience.” The case against Navalny says the comments were “false information that discredits the honor and dignity of a veteran of the Great Patriotic War.”

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If convicted, Navalny could face a fine of up to one year of income or 240 hours of community service.

The Associated Press contributed to this report