Update
Anti-Kremlin activist Pyotr Verzilov would probably have died following an apparent poisoning in Moscow last week if he had not received prompt medical treatment, his doctors in Germany said on Tuesday.
Verzilov, publisher of a Russian online news portal with close ties to the outspoken activist group Pussy Riot, is still very disoriented as he convalescences in Berlin’s Charite hospital following what his ex-wife said was either an assassination attempt or a warning shot.
Earlier
The German government has expressed concern about anti-Kremlin protester Pyotr Verzilov, after a suspected poisoning rapidly deteriorated the health of the Pussy Riot member.
“We have followed the case, of course, and are concerned about the health of Mr Verzilov,” a German foreign ministry spokeswoman told a regular government news conference. “We hope he will be better soon and that he will recover fully.”
Verzilov, 30 — who is known as the unofficial spokesperson for the band Pussy Riot — was flown from Moscow on a medical transport plane to Berlin late Saturday with symptoms such as loss of eyesight, loss of hearing and not being able to walk.
A spokeswoman for the German Foreign Ministry and another spokeswoman for the Chancellery told Reuters their offices were informed that Verzilov was coming to Berlin but were not involved in organising the trip.
In July, Verzilov invaded the pitch during the World Cup final in Moscow, along with three women affiliated with Pussy Riot. Verzilov is the publisher of Mediazona, a Russian online news outlet which focuses on human rights violations inside Russia’s penal system.
