Leonid Volkov, a Russian opponent in exile and close to Alexeï Navalny, was the victim of an attack on Tuesday March 12 outside his home in Lithuania, said a Russian opposition media and the former spokesperson by Navalny.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs LithuanianGabrielius Landsbergis, condemned an attack “ shocking » and assured, in a message on answer for their crimes “. “ Leonid Volkov was just attacked outside his home. Someone broke a car window and sprayed tear gas in his eyes before starting to hit Leonid with a hammer “, declared Kira Yarmysh, the former spokesperson of Navalnydied in custody in Russia on February 16.
Those close to Navalny released photos showing Leonid Volkov’s injuries, including a black eye, a red mark on his forehead and blood on one of his legs. They then shared a photo showing him being transported on a stretcher into an ambulance.
He accused Vladimir Putin of being directly responsible for Navalny’s death
A Lithuanian police spokesman, Ramunas Matonis, confirmed that a Russian citizen was attacked near his home in the capital Vilnius at around 10:00 p.m. local time (20:00 GMT). “ A large number of police officers are at work on the scene “, he added. No suspect has been identified and more details on this attack should be communicated Wednesday morning, the spokesperson said. Police confirmed that Leonid Volkov had been hospitalized.
Leonid Volkov, 43, is one of Russia’s leading opposition figures and was one of Navalny’s lieutenants. Leonid Volkov is a former chief of staff of Navalny and chaired until 2023 the anti-corruption foundation founded by the former number one opponent of Vladimir Putin. Leonid Volkov accused the Russian president of being directly responsible for Navalny’s death.
This aggression occurs almost a month after death of Alexeï Navalny in detention, on February 16, in a Russian prison in the Arctic and a few days before the presidential election in Russia which should consecrate the triumph of Vladimir Putin, for lack of real opponents. A NATO member country, Lithuania hosts many Russians in exile and has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion.
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