Russian dissident Alexei Navalny was finally transported to hospital in Germany on Saturday after delays in permission from the Kremlin. Navalny has been publicly critical of Putin. leveling accusations of corruption at the government. He has also run for office as an opposition candidate. The Wall Street Journal described him as “the man Vladimir Putin fears most.”

Supporters believe his tea was poisoned. He fell into a coma while on a flight from SIberia to Moscow. The German hospital reports no toxic substances but haven’t concluded their investigation. They have declared Navalny to be in stable condition.

The Kremlin denies any involvement. They also deny any delay in allowing Navalny to be flown to Germany for medical treatment, although permission was not granted until international criticism was levied at the Russian government. Poison tea will exit the body after a short time and not be detectable.

This is not the first accusation of poisoning political enemies President for Life Putin has faced. The LA Times article “For Russian Intelligence, Poison Tea has Long Been the Weapon of Choice” details the strategy. The Russians have been implicated in the use of radioactive poisons in the past, like Alexander Litvinenko in 2006. We may as well get used to it. the Russian Federation has cleared the way for Vlad Putin to remain president until 2036.

Editor’s note 24/8/20; NPR is reporting the German doctors say Navalny was indeed poisoned. He remains in a serious but stable condition in a medically induced coma. The doctors expect him to live.