Munich, Germany, Feb 14 (EFE). – Russia poisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny with a lethal toxin extracted from a South American frog, according to the results of an investigation presented on Saturday by the governments of Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
“Collaborative work has confirmed through laboratory testing that the deadly toxin found in the skin of Ecuador dart frogs (epibatidine) was found in samples from Alexei Navalny’s body and highly likely resulted in his death,” the report’s press release reads.
“Only the Russian state had the means, motive, and opportunity to deploy this lethal toxin to target Navalny during his imprisonment in a Russian penal colony in Siberia, and we hold it responsible for his death,” it added.
The text noted that Russia had previously maintained that Navalny died of natural causes and recalls other cases in which the current Russian administration had already used poisonous substances against Navalny himself and other inconvenient citizens.
The announcement coincided with the Munich Security Conference, attended by leaders from the countries that conducted the investigation, as well as Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the Russian dissident, who died in a Siberian prison on February 16, 2024.
From the Bavarian capital, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper spoke about the findings of the investigation.
She met with Navalnaya and recalled that the news of her husband’s death almost two years ago had moved those attending the Munich Security Conference at the time.
“Since Yulia Navalnaya announced the loss of her husband here in Munich two years ago, the UK has pursued the truth of Alexei Navalny’s death with fierce determination,” Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said.
“Russia saw Navalny as a threat. By using this form of poison, the Russian state demonstrated the despicable tools it has at its disposal and the overwhelming fear it has of political opposition,” she added.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also in Munich when the investigation by the five European countries was announced.
“Five European nations have determined that Russia poisoned Alexei Navalny. This was a cowardly act from a frightened leader. Russia has long acted as a terrorist state, relying on terrorist methods,” Von der Leyen wrote on X.
“Poisoning political opponents.Silencing journalists. Invading peaceful neighbours. This is the true face of Russia today,” she added.
This year’s Munich Conference was largely devoted to how to continue pressuring Russia to end its military aggression against Ukraine and to increase support for Kyiv.
At a press conference following his participation in the conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted cautiously to the conclusions of the investigation by five of his partners into the causes of Navalny’s death.
Many Ukrainians have been upset by the attention given to Navalny and other Russian dissidents who, in their view, have not condemned Putin’s invasion of their country strongly enough. EFE
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