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Navalny ridicules Russian intelligence chief for suggestion he may have been poisoned by NATO as a ‘sacred sacrifice’

Alexey Navalny has accused the head of the Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) of being a “simple idiot,” after he indicated that the anti-corruption campaigner could have been poisoned by the West in a “sacrifice.”

Writing on Twitter, Navalny said he is “sad to see what Russian intelligence has become,” attacking SVR chief Sergei Naryshkin.

In an interview published on Friday, Naryshkin told the Moscow-based news agency RIA Novosti that, about a year ago, NATO intelligence agencies discussed sacrificing a Russian opposition figure to revive anti-government demonstrations. According to the intelligence chief, the country's protest movement has “completely shrunk and is approaching zero.”

“You know, the issue of a so-called 'sacred sacrifice' was discussed at a high level,” Naryshkin claimed. “Moreover, it was said that it would be better if this 'sacred sacrifice' was one of the leaders of the opposition.”