Putin-critic was flying from Siberia to Moscow when his plane made an emergency landing after he fell ill.

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is in a coma and on a ventilator in a hospital in Siberia after falling ill from suspected poisoning during a flight, his spokeswoman said Thursday.

Kira Yarmysh said on Thursday that Navalny, 44, was flying from Siberia to Moscow after a work trip to Tomsk when his plane made an emergency landing after he fell ill.

He is now in grave condition in the intensive care unit for toxicology patients in Emergency Hospital No 1 in the Siberian city of Omsk, according to the TASS state news agency.

"Alexei has toxic poisoning," she wrote on Twitter. "Alexei is now in intensive care."

"We think that Alexei was poisoned with something mixed in his tea. That was the only thing he drank in the morning," Yarmysh said. "Doctors say the poison was quickly absorbed through the hot liquid."

She told the Echo Moskvy radio station that Navalny was sweating on the plane and asked her to talk to him so that he could "focus on a sound of a voice". He then went to the bathroom and lost consciousness.

Navalny is in the intensive care unit for toxicology patients in Emergency Hospital No 1 in the Siberia city of Omsk, the TASS state news agency reported.

Navalny, 44, is in grave condition, TASS said, citing the head doctor of the hospital.

"Alexei is still unconscious. He was put under ventilator. Police were called to the hospital on our demand," said Yarmysh.

Yarmysh said she believed the suspected poisoning was connected to this year's regional election campaign.

Past attacks

Navalny known for his anti-corruption campaigns against top officials and outspoken criticism of President Vladimir Putin, has suffered physical attacks in the past.

Last year, Navalny was rushed to a hospital from prison where he was serving a sentence following an administrative arrest, with what his team said was suspected poisoning. Doctors then said he had a severe allergic attack and discharged him back to prison the following day.

He also endured chemical burns to his eye in 2017 when attackers threw green dye used as a disinfectant at his face outside his office.

The charismatic lawyer and whistle-blower, has been travelling the country to promote a tactical voting strategy to oppose pro-Putin candidates in more than 30 regional elections in September.

He has been the target of multiple criminal probes while his Anti-Corruption Foundation is regularly raided by police and investigators.

He has served numerous terms in police cells for organising illegal protests.

Last month, the politician had to shut the foundation after a financially devastating lawsuit from Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman with close ties to the Kremlin.

The most prominent member of Russia's opposition, Navalny campaigned to challenge Putin in the 2018 presidential election, but was barred from running.

Vyacheslav Gimadi, a lawyer with Navalny's foundation, said the team is requesting Russia's Investigative Committee open a criminal probe.

"There is no doubt that Navalny was poisoned because of his political stance and activity," Gimadi said in a tweet on Thursday.

Former US ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul tweeted: "Praying @navalny will be ok."

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/russian-opposition-leader-navalny-poisoned-spokeswoman-200820054714728.html

hmmm.... putin comes to mind...u cant be one of the most powerful person critic and think ur life wont be in danger



e go fear you if u know how he was poisoned...it must be a professional job


make e thank God say no be naija him dey if u criticized the government na direct to jail.... I tire for this country

It is not easy to be in the opposition camp. Especially if you are an activist and you preach anti corruption.

Mother Russia. Ruthless
He who dines with the devil, does so with a long spoon.

I don't like Russia...

I can bet my balls that a woman poisoned him

swiz123:
I can bet my balls that a woman poisoned him

i can bet anything. FEAR WOMEN CHECK MY SIGNATURE

Drinking tea at a restaurant is carelessness.

Ha!!!

Vladimir Putin!!!
Putin is not the world's most powerful man for nothing. .
He has people everywhere.

Politics playing out. It's a do or die affair

Russia my dream country hahahaha

Russians are ruthless. Bratva on point, if you know you know.

Sounds like some Russian KGB spy series

and Russians with their fancy names Dimitri Alexis gregory
Krukov
Numagedov
Askdov

Na wa ohhh...This year just get as e b


Check my signature

Village people everyone

Though i am not in support of high level of respiration to get power but those who think Nigerian politician are most corruption and heartless in the world should come and defend this.
Politics is a dirty game anywhere, the difference is that while some are played in a more refined manners, others are still being played in a crude manner.

Don't mess with Putin

na wetin them suppose do buhari be that

but what do I know bunch of cowards

Okay

swiz123:
I can bet my balls that a woman poisoned him

You're just an unsecured man.

GODSENT253:
i can bet anything. FEAR WOMEN

I can bet you the fear of woman it the beginning of wisdom

Putin...

Politics is a very dirty game especially for an activist.