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"I assert that Putin was behind the crime, and I have no other explanation for what happened," he told the magazine. Navalny added that, despite the apparent attempt on his life, he wants to return to Russia.

"My job now is to remain the guy who isn't afraid. And I'm not afraid! When my hands shake, it's not from fear - it's from this stuff (the poison). I would not give Putin the gift of not returning to Russia."

Throughout the opposition figure's recovery, the Kremlin has issued various statements wishing him well. In Russia, a pre-investigation check is underway into the possible poisoning, but a criminal case has not yet been initiated. Authorities have pointed out that Navalny's team moved some key evidence to Germany and insist that Berlin has not been cooperative in providing results from toxicology tests.

Navalny expressed his "tremendous gratitude to all Germans," saying that the country's politicians and Chancellor Angela Merkel saved his life. Der Spiegel did not mention the first responders in Siberia in the extract published on Thursday morning.

"I know it sounds a bit over the top, but Germany has become a special country for me," Navalny said. Referring to his private meeting with Merkel, at the Charité clinic, he said: "I was impressed by the detail she knows about Russia and my case."

Navalny fired back on his blog:

"This is a direct allegation from a government official. Therefore, first of all, I am taking legal action against Peskov. And secondly, I demand that the proof and facts that suggest I am 'working with specialists from the CIA' are published. Put it straight on television, in prime time. You have my permission."

In the same press call on Thursday when Peskov linked the anti-corruption campaigner to the CIA, he responded to Navalny's interview by saying:

"We believe that such accusations against the Russian president are absolutely unfounded and unacceptable, and furthermore, we find a host of these statements completely offensive and inexcusable."

As tensions mounted, members of Russia's State Duma continued to throw their weight behind Peskov. According to its website, speaker Vyacheslav Volodin called Alexey Navalny a collaborator of Western intelligence agencies:

"Navalny is a shameless person and a skunk. Putin saved his life. If what happened to him had been orchestrated by the intelligence services of Western countries, then his statement fits perfectly into the scheme of things. Everyone genuinely worked to save him - from the pilots and doctors to the president. And only an ingrate could make such statements."

The head of the legal team at Alexey Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, Vyacheslav Gimadi, confirmed that the lawsuit would be addressed to Dmitry Peskov's home address, and would fall under the jurisdiction of the Presnensky district court in Moscow.