Mum of Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza hospitalised in 'suspected poisoning'

Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza confirmed his mother had been taken to a hospital in Germany amid fears she suffered a "suspected poisoning" - Berlin police said it is investigating an attempted murder

The mother of exiled British-Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza has reportedly been hospitalised with "suspected poisoning."

Yelena Gordon was taken to hospital in Berlin with symptoms of suspected poisioning, according to outlet Agentstvo Media citing two of Vladimir's colleagues. She is understood to have been taken to hospital Charité Berlin.

The outlet said an initial test came back negative for nerve agents. Police in the German capital said they were investigating an attempted murder of a woman who was at the same hospital, although they did not share the name of the victim.

In a statement shared today, Berlin Police said: "We are currently investigating the suspicion of attempted murder. A woman told medical staff at a clinic that she suspected she had been poisoned.

"The patient has been transferred to the Charité isolation ward. Blood tests for all types of toxic substances are carried out. All police measures required to safeguard public safety and to identify potential suspects are underway."

Vladimir took to X/Twitter today to confirm his mother was in hospital in Germany. He added: "Thank you so much to everyone for your concern and well-wishes. My mother is indeed in a hospital in Berlin, but suspicions of poisoning or heart attack have thankfully not been confirmed. The doctors are continuing with the evaluation."

Vladimir, 42, has previously been poisoned amid a campaign by Russian President Vladimir Putin to crack down on dissidents abroad. He was part of a prisoner swap that also resulted in the freeing of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

Vladimir, who is a UK passport holder, previously said he feared he "was going to die in prison." Putin has been brutal in his attempts to silence his critics as he continues to hold an iron grip on Russia.

Many of his critics have died in mysterious circumstances, including politicians, turncoat spies and investigative journalists. The most high profile death in recent years is Alexei Navalny who was reported dead by Russia's prison service on February 16.

Many Western leaders believe he was murdered on the orders of Putin. He had long opposed the Russian leader and was previously poisoned with novichok - a Soviet-era nerve agent. The Kremlin denied involvement in his death.