“Tear-sprayed and hammered”: Exiled Navalny's cousin attacked outside his home in Lithuania

Leonid Volkov, an exiled Russian dissident and close associate of Alexei Navalny, was the victim of an attack outside his home in Lithuania on Tuesday, Russian opposition media and Navalny's former spokesman said.

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“Leonid Volkov was attacked outside his home. Someone smashed a car window and sprayed tear gas in Leonid's eyes before starting to beat him with a hammer,” said Kira Yarmish, a former spokeswoman for Navalny, who was detained in Russia on February 16.

Mr. Navalny is close to Mr. They released photos showing Volkov's injuries, which included a black eye, a red mark on his forehead and blood on one of his legs.

According to Kira Yarmish, Leonid Volkov is now at home and help is coming. The spokesman did not provide any details about his country of residence, but independent Russian media outlet Mediazona confirms that he is in Lithuania.

Leonid Volkov is Navalny's former chief of staff and heads the anti-corruption foundation founded by Vladimir Putin's former number one opponent until 2023.

Mr Volkov accused the Russian president of being directly responsible for Navalny's death.