Navalny, who was poisoned, discharged from German hospital... "Health condition improved"

German Medical Staff "Expect Full Recovery Possible"
Still Facing Difficulties with Balance and Finger Use
German Media Suggests Poison More Advanced Than 2018 Double Spy Incident

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny was discharged from the hospital on the 23rd (local time). Navalny, who was poisoned by the military-grade nerve agent Novichok and treated at a German hospital, is reported to have significantly improved his health condition.

Charit? Hospital in Berlin, Germany, where Navalny was treated, stated on the same day, "The patient's condition has sufficiently recovered to allow discharge," adding, "Considering the patient's health status, the attending physicians believe a full recovery is possible." However, they also noted, "Since the patient was poisoned by a highly toxic substance, it is still too early to determine any aftereffects."

Recent appearance of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny after being discharged from a hospital in Germany [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Navalny lost consciousness and collapsed on a flight from Siberia to Moscow on the 20th of last month. After being treated at a local hospital, he received medical care from German doctors. Initially, it was suggested that he might have been poisoned through tea he drank before boarding the plane, but recently, the possibility of poisoning through a beverage consumed at a hotel has also been raised. Although he was initially treated at a Russian hospital, due to suspicions of a politically motivated poisoning using a toxic substance, he was transferred to Berlin for treatment arranged by a German civic group.

The German government confirmed Navalny's discharge during a press conference. However, considering Navalny's personal safety, they did not disclose where he would stay or what protective measures had been taken.

Navalny revealed via social networking services (SNS) that he is undergoing physical therapy. It is known that he is experiencing difficulties with balance and finger movements. Navalny said, "In the past, I looked forward to learning how to wakeboard in the summer, but now I am learning how to stand on one leg."

Meanwhile, some German media reported that the Novichok nerve agent that poisoned Navalny is a more advanced version compared to the one used in the 2018 Sergei Skripal case, in which Skripal was attacked in the UK after betraying Russia. German media explained that Navalny was able to survive because the plane he was on made an emergency return immediately after he collapsed, allowing him to receive prompt medical treatment.