Hope of a full recovery for Alexey Navalny received a boost on Tuesday morning, when the Russian opposition figure published a photo from Berlin's Charite hospital for the first time since he was admitted on August 24.

Writing on Instagram, Navalny explained that he "can still barely do anything," but is now able to breathe "on his own" without a ventilator. The anti-corruption activist appears to be in good spirits, joking that he "recommends" breathing, which he described as an "amazing, underestimated" process.

Navalny's post comes just a day after a German official apparently revealed the activist's intention to return home after he recovers, in order to "continue his mission." Allegedly speaking to the New York Times, the unnamed official also noted that Navalny is "fully aware of his condition" and seems mentally sharp.

On Tuesday, his press secretary, Kira Yarmysh, confirmed that Navalny would return to Russia, saying that "no other options were ever considered."

Speaking to reporters, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman noted that news of Navalny's recovery is positive, and he would be welcomed back to his homeland.

"He is a citizen of Russia, he is free to leave Russia and return to Russia," Dmitry Peskov said. "If a Russian citizen improves his health, everyone will be happy."

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A sheriff's deputy in Georgia has been fired following an investigation into videos of an extremely violent arrest in which a black man was beaten bloody and unconscious, sparking outrage in the community and online.

The incident took place on September 11, when the unnamed Clayton County deputy pulled over an off-duty rideshare vehicle for an alleged broken taillight.

Passenger Roderick Walker, 26, was asked to show his identification, which he questioned as he was not the driver, at which point the deputies asked him to exit the car. A scuffle ensued and the deputies were filmed brutally beating Walker bloody and, eventually, unconscious.

Warning: The following footage may contain scenes which some viewers may find disturbing.

The brutal beating took place in front of at least one of Walker's four children. At one point, Walker can be heard saying "I can't breathe... I'm about to die."

"He bit my hand!" one of the deputies can be heard saying, as the woman with Walker is heard pleading: "please stop, baby don't bite him."

Walker remains in jail, charged with two counts of battery and two counts of obstructing or hindering law enforcement officers.

However, following an internal investigation, Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill announced Sunday that the deputy seen violently and repeatedly striking Walker in the videos was terminated for "excessive use of force."

Neither of the deputies involved have been named and the decision on whether to pursue a criminal investigation remains with the Clayton County District Attorney.

Later on Sunday, amid calls for Walker to be released and for both sheriff's deputies to be fired, the sheriff added more context to the case, stating that Walker has a "felony probation warrant out of Fulton County for cruelty to children, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and a failure to appear warrant."

Walker has received medical attention and no skull fractures were detected on x-ray scans. Small demonstrations were held over the weekend, calling for Walker's release.

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