The condition of poisoned Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny is gradually improving but it is too early to predict long-term effects, the Berlin hospital treating him said Wednesday. "The patient, whose symptoms were the result of cholinesterase inhibition following a confirmed poisoning event, continues to improve," the Charite hospital said in a statement. "The reason for this improvement is the gradual recovery of cholinesterase activity," it said. He is being treated in an intensive care unit and remains on a ventilator. fec/hmn/bp