MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Russian blogger Alexey Navalny’s so-called investigation into its alleged poisoning with nerve agent is a provocation, prepared with support of foreign intelligence services, Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) press service told TASS.
"The so-called ‘investigation,’ published by A. Navalny in the Internet about the actions allegedly taken against him is a planned provocation, aimed at discrediting of the FSB and its employees, which would be impossible, without the organizational and technical support of foreign intelligence services," the service underscored.
The intelligence agency also stated that the video footage containing a phone call between Russian blogger Alexei Navalny and an alleged Federal Security Service (FSB) employee is a fake.
"The video with the phone call is a fake. The phone number spoofing is a well-known tool of foreign intelligence services, repeatedly utilized in anti-Russian actions, which rules out the possibility to determine the real sides of the conversation," the press service said.
An inspection was initiated in this regard, and a assessment will be provided over its results.
Previously, Navalny published a video footage of a phone call with a person, allegedly serving in a secret FSB division of eight people that allegedly organized his poisoning.
Last Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned that Navalny "enjoys the support of US intelligence agencies."
"If that is the case, then [our] intelligence agencies must, of course, watch over him. But that does not mean he should be poisoned, who even cares about him?" Putin said.
Following medical examinations and research, Navalny was diagnosed with "disruption of carbohydrate exchange." The "poisoning" diagnosis was not confirmed, leaving no reason to initiate a criminal case in Russia.