Russian Chief Physician: "Navalny's Health at Immediate Risk of Death"

"Blood Potassium Levels Extremely High... Risk of Heart Attack"
Navalny on Hunger Strike Demanding Doctor Consultation

Alexei Navalny [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The health condition of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny, who is serving time in prison, has recently deteriorated rapidly to a dangerous level that could lead to death from heart failure or other causes at any moment.

According to AFP on the 17th (local time), Navalny's attending physician Yaroslav Ashikhmin stated on Facebook that "a patient with a blood potassium level like Navalny's should be admitted to the intensive care unit," adding, "because he could die at any time from fatal arrhythmia or heart failure."

Another doctor, Anastasia Vasilyeva, also revealed on Twitter that normally, when blood potassium levels exceed 6.0 mmol per liter, the patient should be moved to intensive care, and Navalny's level was measured at 7.1 mmol.

She further diagnosed, "This level is dangerous. It indicates renal failure and means that severe disturbances in heart rhythm can occur at any time, potentially leading to heart failure."

Another doctor, Alexander Polofan, who diagnosed Navalny during his poisoning last August, claimed, "If Navalny is not treated, he could die within days."

He pointed out, "The forced feeding of Navalny, who is on a hunger strike, being pushed by prison authorities, could worsen his health condition. The cessation of the hunger strike should be gradual and under medical supervision."

Navalny's spokesperson Kira Yarmysh also expressed concern, saying his current condition is very dangerous and "Navalny is dying. Considering his current state, it could be a matter of days."

Four of Navalny's attending physicians, including Ashikhmin and Vasilyeva, recently sent an open letter to the head of the Federal Penitentiary Service (prison authorities), stating that Navalny's condition during his hunger strike is very dangerous and urging permission for external doctors to provide medical care.

Navalny, considered an opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin, collapsed due to poisoning on a plane last August and was treated in Germany. He claimed that his country's intelligence agency attempted to assassinate him.

After returning to Russia in January this year, he was arrested by Russian authorities and is currently serving a 3-year and 6-month prison sentence after his suspended sentence for fraud charges from 2014 was converted to a prison term.

After incarceration, Navalny declared a hunger strike on the 31st of last month, demanding that doctors he invited be allowed to see him due to back and leg pain, and on the 5th, it was revealed that he was moved to the prison hospital ward due to fever and respiratory symptoms.

U.S. President Joe Biden criticized the situation on the 17th after learning about Navalny's condition, saying to reporters, "It is really, really unfair. It is really unreasonable."

More than 70 prominent figures worldwide, including British actors Jude Law and Benedict Cumberbatch, also posted an open letter on the 16th to French daily Le Monde addressed to President Putin, requesting "immediate appropriate medical care and treatment for Navalny."

Earlier, Navalny's wife Yulia, who visited him, expressed concern about his health, saying he lost 9 kg since declaring his hunger strike.