A joint statement by the United Kingdom and its allies said Kremlin opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed with epibatidine, a rare toxin from poison dart frogs, while imprisoned in an Arctic penal colony two years ago.
The UK, along with France, Germany, Netherlands, and Sweden, said forensic analysis conclusively confirmed the toxin, which is not naturally found in Russia.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said poisoning was highly likely the cause of death and accused Russia of showing clear disregard for international law and weapons conventions.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said only the Russian state had the means and opportunity to carry out the attack, while Russia continues to claim Navalny died of natural causes.
A toxicology expert cited by the BBC said epibatidine is an extremely potent neurotoxin that can cause paralysis, respiratory failure, and death, reinforcing allies’ calls to hold Russia accountable.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny stands near law enforcement agents in a hallway of a business centre, which houses the office of his Anti-Corruption Foundation, in Moscow on December 26, 2019. Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP
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