Russian opponent Alexei Navalny on September 29, 2019 in Moscow.
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Dmitri Lovetsky / AP / SIPA
In his first interview published since he left the German hospital, where he was treated, Russian opponent Alexei Navalny accused President Vladimir Putin of being "behind" his poisoning.
"I affirm that Putin is behind this act, I do not see any other explanation," he told the German weekly
Der Spiegel.
“My duty now is to remain as I am, someone who is not afraid.
And I am not afraid!
", he added.
Alexey Navalny will return to Russia
According to the German weekly, he also confirms in the interview, the entirety of which is to be broadcast later today, his intention to return to Russia once healed.
A tireless anti-corruption activist and fierce critic of the Kremlin, Alexeï Navalny, 44, fell seriously ill on August 20 on a plane in Siberia while on an election campaign.
Three European laboratories concluded that it was poisoned with a Novichok-type nerve agent, designed for military purposes in Soviet times, and Western capitals therefore called on Russia to explain and investigate.
Moscow rejects all accusations.
Alexeï Navalny was released a week ago from the Berlin Charité hospital, where he was treated for a month.
He is now continuing his convalescence in Germany which, according to his spokesperson, will take "a lot of time".
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