Five Western nations confirm lethal toxin found in Alexei Navalny’s body, directly accusing Russian president of his death.
Russia’s Official Position Overturned
Five Western nations—Great Britain, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands—have issued a joint statement at the Munich Security Conference, directly accusing Russia and President Vladimir Putin of Navalny’s death. The countries argue that only the Kremlin and its special services had access to the heavily guarded prison where the opposition leader was held, and that only the Kremlin had motive to silence the opposition leader.
Toxin Found in Navalny’s Body
Samples secretly taken from Navalny’s body and smuggled to the West revealed the presence of epibatidine, a highly toxic substance naturally occurring in the skin secretions of poisonous frogs in Ecuador. This toxin is 200 times stronger than morphine, causing paralysis of respiratory muscles and suffocation in victims. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul confirmed that Navalny was poisoned in Russian captivity.
Navalnaya: Putin Will Face Justice
Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny’s widow, attended the Munich Security Conference where she stated that countries now have proof that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin “is a murderer.” Navalnaya, in a powerful speech nearly two years ago at the Munich Security Conference, called for fighting the Russian power apparatus of Putin in light of reports of her husband’s death. She expressed hope that Putin will one day stand trial and be held accountable for his actions.
Death in Arctic Penal Colony
Navalny died on February 16, 2024, in a penal colony north of the Arctic Circle at the age of 47. Russian authorities claimed natural causes of death. Navalny, considered Putin’s most prominent opponent in Russia, had repeatedly exposed corruption cases in elite circles around the Kremlin head. He was arrested in January 2021 upon returning to his country and later sentenced to long prison terms, including for extremism. In prison, he was strongly isolated from the outside world.
International Response and Accountability
British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper confirmed that a lethal toxin found in Navalny’s body occurs in Ecuadorian poisonous frogs, stating that the Russian government must be held accountable. Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Stenergard expressed pride in contributing to revealing the truth. Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel noted that while the mills of justice grind slowly, they work decisively in Navalny’s favor. The five nations have also reported their findings to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), accusing Russia of failing to destroy its chemical weapons contrary to international agreements.
Pattern of Suspected Assassinations
The case fits a series of suspected assassinations likely ordered by Russian services. In 2018, British citizen Dawn Sturgess died in Salisbury from exposure to the nerve agent novichok—an accidental victim of an assassination attempt on double agent Sergei Skripal. Two years later, Navalny himself was poisoned with novichok but survived after treatment at Berlin’s Charité clinic.
