News analysis

Silencing of Putin critics redux? Navalny case recalls past attacks

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Russian officials have refused European requests that opposition leader Alexei Navalny - now in a coma fighting for his life after being allegedly poisoned - be flown to Germany for specialist treatment.

A number of European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, have offered to provide Mr Navalny with specialist detoxification treatment, and a German non-government organisation has dispatched an ambulance jet to take the Russian opposition leader to the famous Charite hospital in Berlin.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 22, 2020, with the headline Silencing of Putin critics redux? Navalny case recalls past attacks. Subscribe