The Alexei Navalny poisoning affair

Highlights of the affair of Alexei Navalny, a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin who Germany says was poisoned with Novichok, a powerful nerve agent, with Moscow denying any involvement.

– Admitted to hospital –

On August 20, the 44-year-old lawyer and anti-corruption campaigner is hospitalised in intensive care in the Siberian city of Omsk after he lost consciousness while on a flight. His entourage says he has been poisoned, while Russian medics treating him say they have found “no trace” of poison in his blood or urine.

– Transferred to Berlin –

Two days later, in a medically induced coma, he is transferred to the Charite hospital in the German capital at his family’s request, after the Russian medical team initially refused.

On August 24, German doctors say tests indicate poisoning.

The next day, the Kremlin says it is too early to determine whether Navalny has been poisoned.

On August 27, the Russian judiciary announces that it has launched a preliminary probe into the affair, saying there is no proof of a poisoning.

The next day, the Berlin hospital says Navalny’s state of health has improved, but that he remains in a coma.

– ‘Novichok’ –

On September 2, Berlin says that medical exams carried out by a German army laboratory have yielded “unequivocal evidence” that Navalny was a victim of poisoning by Novichok. German Chancellor Angela Merkel seeks clarification from Moscow.

The finding that Novichok has been used shows that only the Russian state could be responsible for the poisoning, the head of Navalny’s organisation says.

– International pressure –

NATO, followed by the European Union, demands an investigation.

On September 3, the Kremlin rejects claims that Moscow was behind the poisoning.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) expresses its “grave concern”.

On September 4, a Russian toxicologist says that Navalny’s health could have deteriorated because of dieting, stress or fatigue, insisting no poison had been found in the tests conducted in Siberia.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg demands Moscow reveal its alleged Novichok programme to the global chemical weapons watchdog.

– Russia threatened with sanctions –

On September 6, Germany, the current head of the European Union, says it will discuss possible sanctions against Russia if the Kremlin does not provide an explanation soon.

Merkel says she will not rule out consequences for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, which is supposed to supply Europe with Russian gas.

Russia accuses Germany of stalling efforts to probe Navalny’s case, by failing to respond to a request by Russian prosecutors sent on August 27.

– Out of coma –

On September 7 the Kremlin denounces “absurd” attempts to blame the Russian state.

The Berlin hospital says Navalny is now out of the medically induced coma and is being weaned off of mechanical ventilation.