Russian opposition leader Navalny allowed to travel abroad

In this photo taken on Thursday, April 27, 2017, Yulia, wife of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny treats him after unknown attackers doused him with green antiseptic outside a conference venue in Moscow, Russia. Navalny, who authored a documentary about the Russian prime minister's alleged corrupt wealth that was viewed more than 20 million times online, was the key force behind nationwide anti-government rallies in March, Russia's largest and most widespread in years. (Evgeny Feldman/Pool Photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this photo taken on Thursday, April 27, 2017, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny poses for a photo after unknown attackers doused him with green antiseptic outside a conference venue in Moscow, Russia. Navalny, who authored a documentary about the Russian prime minister's alleged corrupt wealth that was viewed more than 20 million times online, was the key force behind nationwide anti-government rallies in March, Russia's largest and most widespread in years. (Evgeny Feldman/Pool Photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny says he has been issued a Russian passport after being denied the travel document for five years.

Navalny says this will allow him to travel abroad to get specialized treatment for his right eye, which suffered a severe chemical burn when an attacker doused him with green antiseptic a week ago.

Navalny wrote in his blog that he got a call Thursday from the federal migration service telling him to pick up his passport.

He said the doctors treating him in Russia recommended he seek treatment abroad because he may need a cornea transplant.

Navalny is serving a five-year suspended sentence in a dubious embezzlement case that appears to reflect the Kremlin's desire to disqualify him from running for office.