World Information | Leonid Volkov: Navalny’s ex-chief of employees attacked with hammer in Lithuania | CNN

CNN
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Russian opposition activist Leonid Volkov, former chief of employees to the late Russian opposition chief Alexei Navalny, was attacked outdoors his house within the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on Tuesday, in accordance with Navalny’s spokeswoman Kira Yarmish.

“Leonid Volkov has simply been attacked outdoors his house. Somebody smashed a automobile window and sprayed tear gasoline in his eyes, after which the assailant started beating Leonid with a hammer. Yarmish stated In a social media submit.

Ivan Zhdanov, director of Navalny’s anti-corruption basis, stated Volkov was attacked “near house” and “they hit his legs with a hammer and hit his arm.”

Images shared by Zhdanov present Volkov with a swollen face and a bloodied leg. One other picture exhibits damaged glass and blood subsequent to the automobile. Volkov has been taken to hospital, Zhdanov stated in a social media submit.

Lithuanian authorities are investigating Tuesday’s assault, the nation’s Overseas Minister Gabrielius Landsbergs stated in an announcement. Put up on x Landsbergs referred to as the assault “surprising” and stated the perpetrators should reply for his or her crime.

The assault comes simply days earlier than Russia’s presidential election, seen as a constitutional box-ticking train through which President Vladimir Putin is definite to win a fifth time period.

Volkov, who serves as chairman of Navalny’s anti-corruption basis till 2023, dismissed the February election as a “circus”, saying on social media that it was geared toward Putin’s highly effective It was to sign public assist.

“It’s worthwhile to perceive what the March elections imply for Putin. They’re a propaganda effort to unfold hopelessness amongst voters,” Volkov stated.

The opposition determine has been residing outdoors Russia for a number of years for safety causes. He faces a lot of politically motivated prices in Russia.

Navalny, some of the distinguished anti-Putin voices in Russia, died in a Russian jail final month, prompting condemnation from world leaders and accusations from his aides that he was assassinated. has been given. The Kremlin has denied involvement in his loss of life.

Navalny’s staff and a number of other different Russian activists have fled the nation in recent times as Moscow’s more and more repressive regime has cracked down on any opposition. In 2021, a Moscow court docket stated the Anti-Corruption Basis was an “extremist” group extensively condemned by the worldwide neighborhood.

This can be a growing story and can be up to date.