Speculation swirls over Russian opposition leader's allergic reaction on day of protests

The prominent Russia opposition leader Alexei Navalny is back in prison to finish his 30-day sentence after being taken to the hospital following a severe allergic reaction on Sunday, the same day Moscow's citizens took to the streets to protest local election authorities for disqualifying independent candidates from the Moscow city council ballots. Navalny was in jail for calling the protests.
Navalny's lawyer, Olga Mikhailova, said he has "gotten better after an intense treatment," but she remains "categorically" opposed to his return to prison while it remains unclear what caused the reaction — Navalny reportedly had no known allergies before Sunday. Mikhailova added that there was no consultation with a toxicologist or any toxicological test results.
Navalny's personal doctor said that Navalny was "poisoned by some sort of unknown chemical substance," backing up Mikhailova's concerns, Deutsche Welle reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports that while the lack of clarity has raised such speculation, Leonid Volkov, one of Navalny's top aides, rejected conspiracy theories and instead criticized the standard hygiene standards at the detentions center. Volkov said he had a similar reaction when he was held in the same cell as Navalny last month.
Sunday's protests resulted in police detaining more than 1,300 demonstrators after a violent crackdown. Russia courts began sentencing the protesters on Monday.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 8, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - trade wars, healthcare costs, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Marbled tea eggs recipe
The Week Recommends With a beautiful exterior, these eggs are also marked by their soft yolk
By The Week UK Published
-
The Washington Post: kowtowing to Trump?
Talking Point The newspaper's opinion editor has handed in his notice following edict from Jeff Bezos
By The Week UK Published
-
Trump eases Mexico, Canada tariffs again as markets slide
speed read The president suspended some of the 25% tariffs he imposed on Mexican and Canadian imports
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump tells Cabinet they are in charge of layoffs, not Musk
Speed Read The White House has faced mounting complaints about DOGE's sweeping cuts
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Rep. Sylvester Turner dies, weeks after joining House
Speed Read The former Houston mayor and longtime state legislator left behind a final message for Trump: 'Don't mess with Medicaid'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses Ukraine intelligence sharing
Speed Read The decision is intended to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rules against Trump on aid freeze
Speed Read The court rejected the president's request to freeze nearly $2 billion in payments for foreign humanitarian work
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump touts early wins in partisan speech to Congress
Speed Read The president said he is 'just getting started' with his sweeping changes to immigration, the economy and foreign policy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trudeau blasts Trump's 'very dumb' trade war
Speed Read Retaliatory measures have been announced by America's largest trading partners following Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine after public spat
Speed Read Trump and J.D. Vance berated Volodymyr Zelenskyy for what they saw as insufficient gratitude
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published