Alexei Navalny Hospitalized in Russia Three Weeks Into Hunger Strike Kremlin dismisses U.S. warnings of consequences if the Putin foe dies in prison: Ann Simmons
Jailed opposition politician Alexei Navalny was hospitalized Monday, weeks after beginning a hunger strike, as the Kremlin brushed off warnings from the U.S. of repercussions if he were to die while in prison.
His hospitalization came a day after his supporters called for large-scale demonstrations to demand his release after doctors with ties to the opposition leader cited medical test results they said showed he was at risk of imminent renal failure and a possible heart attack.
Mr. Navalny, a prominent Putin critic who is serving a 2½-year prison sentence after being convicted of violating parole conditions, was transferred to a hospital for convicts within the prison system in Russia’s Vladimir region, prison authorities said Monday.
His health condition had been “assessed as satisfactory” and a doctor has been examining him every day, they said. He had also consented to being prescribed “vitamin therapy,” they added, without detailing the nature of such treatment.
Mr. Navalny has been on hunger strike for about three weeks over what he has called poor treatment since he was incarcerated in February. He has accused authorities of lack of medical attention for what he described as debilitating back pain and numbness in his legs and one hand.
“I have a 100% hard-core prison hunger strike, without any tricks like sweet tea, salted water, juice, vitamins, etc. Only water,” he said in comments posted on his Instagram page on April 7.
In other social-media comments, Mr. Navalny said prison officials were threatening to force feed him, including by putting him in a straitjacket. The opposition politician also said prison guards were trying to tempt him to eat by slipping candies into his pocket and frying chicken in the prison kitchen.
Prison authorities didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on whether they had tried to force feed Mr. Navalny or intended to do so.
Doctors have indicated that the numbness he has complained of could be the result of the poison attack that Mr. Navalny suffered last August.
The U.S. warned on Sunday that there would be consequences if Mr. Navalny died while incarcerated.
“We in no way acknowledge such statements, which are voiced by representatives of other states,” Kremlin presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “The state of the health of convicts and prisoners on the territory of the Russian Federation cannot and should not be a topic for their interest.”
Mr. Peskov said he was unaware of Mr. Navalny’s health status and couldn’t trust media reports regarding his condition.
On Monday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that U.S. officials would “continue to reiterate our view that what happens to Mr. Navalny in the custody of the Russian government is the responsibility of the Russian government and that they will be held accountable by the international community.”
In the meantime, the U.S would “continue to call for, push for, [Mr. Navalny’s] release and reiterate our view that he must be treated humanely,” she said.
Prison authorities have refused to allow Mr. Navalny to be assessed by a doctor of his choice and said he is receiving all necessary medical assistance and being treated like all other inmates in accordance with the law.
Allies of Mr. Navalny, including doctors who have been trying to gain access to examine him, expressed dissatisfaction over the facility where the politician was moved to. On its website, it describes itself as a tuberculosis hospital.
“This is not a hospital at all, where they can diagnose and prescribe treatment for his problems,” the team of Anastasia Vasilieva, director of the Alliance of Doctors medical workers’ union, said on Twitter. “We urgently demand to hold a consultation and admit us, his attending physicians, to [attend] it.”
Prison hospital officials didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Mr. Navalny would be housed with tuberculosis patients.
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