Support The Moscow Times!

Actually, Russia Won't Let Navalny Leave the Country to Save His Eyesight

Ilnar Salakhiev / AP

It looks like Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny won’t be allowed abroad for medical treatment, after all, according to his lawyer, Vadim Kobzev.

Earlier on Thursday, Navalny reported that he has been issued a passport that would allow him to travel outside Russia for the first time in five years. Navalny said he planned to seek medical help abroad for an injury sustained last month, when a man attacked him outside his office in Moscow, spraying antiseptic in his eye. A recent medical examination reportedly showed that Navalny has lost 85 percent of his vision in his right eye.

“The head of penitentiary inspection called, mentioning Navalny and demanding that he not even dare about thinking of traveling abroad, very strongly asking that it be conveyed to Navalny that convicts are not permitted to leave the country,” Kobzev wrote on Twitter.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more