'Putin Jeongjeok' Navalny on Hunger Strike in Prison... "Could Die at Any Moment," Plea from Attending Physicians

Alexei Navalny, an opposition activist considered a political rival of Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] The health condition of Alexei Navalny, an opposition figure considered a political rival of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has reportedly deteriorated rapidly.

According to AFP on the 17th, Navalny's personal physician, Yaroslav Ashikhmin, expressed concern on his Facebook, stating, "Navalny's health is rapidly worsening, and he is standing on the brink of death." Ashikhmin appealed to Russian authorities to transfer him to the intensive care unit, saying, "Navalny's fatal arrhythmia symptoms could manifest at any time."

According to Ashikhmin, hospital test records received from Navalny's family revealed a sharp increase in Navalny's blood potassium and creatinine levels. This indicates that Navalny's health is in a precarious state that could cause cardiac arrest at any moment.

Another personal physician, Anastasia Vasilyeva, emphasized the severity of his condition, saying, "Generally, when blood potassium levels exceed 6.0 millimoles per liter, the patient should be moved to intensive care, but Navalny's level was 7.1 millimoles." Navalny's spokesperson Kira Yarmysh also stated, "Considering Navalny's current condition, it could be a matter of days."

Four of Navalny's personal doctors, including Ashikhmin, have requested the prison authorities to allow them to meet Navalny in person. However, the prison authorities denied this, claiming that Navalny is receiving all necessary medical treatment. Consequently, international pressure is gradually increasing. According to AP, U.S. President Joe Biden also criticized the Russian government after being informed of Navalny's condition.

Meanwhile, Navalny collapsed last August on a plane showing symptoms of poisoning and was treated in Germany. He was later arrested at the airport and imprisoned for violating a suspended sentence he received in a fraud trial by Russian authorities, which he claims is a political plot by Putin, due to his prolonged stay in Germany. He declared a hunger strike on the 31st of last month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.