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Putin says Navalny poisoning not enough for probe
MOSCOW, Dec 11, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin
has said his top critic Alexei Navalny’s near-death poisoning is not a
reason to open a criminal probe.
Germany, France and Britain have accused Russian authorities of
“involvement and responsibility” in the poisoning of Kremlin critic
Navalny with Novichok, a Soviet-designed nerve agent.
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied responsibility and some top
officials suggested that the top Russian opposition leader might have
been poisoned in Germany where he was taken for treatment after
falling violently ill in Siberia in August.
“If a person nearly dies this does not mean that it’s necessary to
open a criminal probe at any given opportunity,” Putin said at a
meeting of rights experts, according to the Kremlin transcript
released on Friday.
Prominent journalist Nikolai Svanidze, who raised the issue with
Putin, said: “But the man nearly died.”
“I understand,” Putin replied.
Taking to Twitter, Navalny said: “Simply incredible.”
The Russian president said Russian officials were looking into the
incident and reiterated that the West refused to cooperate with Russia
over the high-profile case, refusing again to mention his critic
Navalny by name.
“There are no official materials,” Putin said at the meeting that
took place on Thursday. “What should we do?”
“Show us where this ‘Novichok’ is,” he added.
“We will investigate this case with pleasure, and very thoroughly too.”
Navalny, 44, has directly accused Putin of being behind his
poisoning and vowed to return to Russia to press on with his
opposition campaign.
He is recovering in Germany after treatment in a Berlin hospital.
His case has increased tensions between Moscow and European
capitals, especially Berlin.
The EU has imposed entry bans and bank account freezes on six
people suspected of being responsible, including the head of Russia’s
FSB intelligence agency.
BSS/AFP/MRU/2345hrs