Investigation Launched into Alleged Poisoning of Exiled Russians in Berlin Meeting

An alarming incident has triggered an inquiry into the potential poisoning of exiled Russians who attended a dissidents’ meeting in Berlin. German police have opened an investigation following reports from a journalist and an activist who encountered health issues after the gathering organized by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the exiled former oligarch turned Kremlin critic.

According to Agentstvo, a Russian investigative media outlet, two participants experienced health problems during and after the April 29-30 meeting. The first participant, identified as a journalist who had recently left Russia, exhibited unspecified symptoms during the event and suspected that they might have started earlier.

Concerned about their condition, the journalist sought medical attention at Charite University Hospital in Berlin, the same institution that treated opposition figure Alexei Navalny after he was poisoned in August 2020.

The second participant mentioned in the report is Natalia Arno, director of the NGO Free Russia Foundation, who has been residing in the United States for the past decade after being forced to leave Russia. Arno attended the dissidents’ meeting in Berlin before traveling to Prague, where she experienced symptoms and discovered that her hotel room had been accessed.

Arno promptly contacted a hospital and the authorities upon returning to the United States. On Facebook, she shared details of her health issues, including “sharp pain” and “numbness,” noting that the first “strange symptoms” appeared even before she arrived in Prague. Although she continues to experience some symptoms, she expressed feeling better.

Exiled Russians Report Health Problems After Dissidents’ Gathering

The Berlin police have confirmed that an investigation is underway into the alleged poisoning incidents. The probe aims to uncover the circumstances and potential perpetrators involved, shedding light on whether the incidents were deliberate acts of poisoning or resulted from other factors.

It is crucial to note that in recent years, numerous poison attacks targeting Kremlin opponents have occurred both within Russia and abroad. Although Moscow denies any involvement by its secret services, European laboratories have previously confirmed the poisoning of Alexei Navalny with Novichok, a Soviet-made nerve agent.

The inquiry into the possible poisoning of exiled Russians highlights the ongoing risks faced by individuals critical of the Russian government. It underscores the importance of thoroughly investigating such incidents, ensuring the safety and well-being of those who speak out against injustice.

As the investigation unfolds, it is vital to support the affected individuals and allow the authorities to carry out their work diligently. Swift and transparent findings will not only bring clarity to this specific case but also contribute to raising awareness about the need to safeguard freedom of expression and protect those who fight for it.

#BerlinInvestigation #ExiledRussians #DissidentsMeeting #HealthProblems #RussianGovernmentCritics #ProtectFreedomOfExpression