Alexei Navalny Able to Talk, Police Protection Stepped Up

BERLIN, KOMPAS.com – Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny continues to make progress in his recovery after he was poisoned with a Soviet-style Novichok nerve agent.

The Russian opposition politician is able to speak again, reports Der Spiegel magazine on Thursday.

Alexei Navalny is receiving treatment in Berlin’s Charite hospital after falling ill on a Russian domestic flight last month.

Germany says Navalny was the victim of an attempt to kill him and has demanded an explanation from Russia.

Moscow has said it has seen no evidence that Navalny, 44, was poisoned.

Read also: Alexei Navalny Novichok Finding Sparks Outrage among Western Leaders

Der Spiegel magazine said Navalny's police protection had been stepped up in the expectation that he would be receiving more visitors as his condition improved.

"Der Spiegel and Bellingcat understand that Navalny can speak again and can likely remember details about his collapse," the magazine wrote, crediting its investigative website partner.

"His statements could be dangerous for people behind the attack."

There was no immediate comment by the hospital treating Navalny.

Read also: Alexei Navalny Given Protection in German Hospital after Likely Poisoning

The affair has driven tensions between Russia and the West to new heights, with some Western governments believing Navalny was poisoned by Russian security services with top-level backing.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday there was a "substantial chance" his poisoning was ordered by senior Russian officials.

Berlin faces calls for a sharper response to the poisoning.

Read also: Germany Urges Moscow to Ramp Up Poisoning Investigation of Alexei Navalny

Some opposition politicians have called for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, a Kremlin flagship project, to be canceled, even as it nears completion.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was quoted on Thursday as saying Russian President Vladimir Putin had told him he would set up a committee to investigate Navalny's case and "was ready to collaborate with the German authorities".

(Writer: Thomas Escritt | Editors: Thomas Seythal, Timothy Heritage)

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-politics-navalny-germany/navalnys-condition-improving-police-guard-stepped-up-der-spiegel-idUSKBN2610WS