Kremlin: Navalny allies have moved evidence, hindering investigation

The Kremlin announced Tuesday its investigation into the alleged poisoning case of political dissenter Alexei Navalny was stunted because evidence from the country was removed by his allies.

Navalny was airlifted to Germany last month after falling ill on a flight from the Siberian city of Tomsk to Moscow, as he and other allies have suspected poisoning due to his history as a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin.

Reuters reported Tuesday that the Kremlin was encountering problems in its investigation because Navalny’s allies removed evidence from Russia.

Germany has concluded he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent when he fell ill on the plane, but Russia says it has seen no poisoning evidence.

Reports emerged earlier this month that Navalny is “making progress” in his recovery from being poisoned by the Soviet-era nerve agent.

The Kremlin’s update comes one day after Navalny issued a statement on his website demanding the return of his clothes that were removed prior to leaving Russia on the German airlift.

Navalny said the clothes would likely work as crucial evidence in the investigation into his poisoning.