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Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in a remote Siberian prison two years ago, was almost certainly poisoned with a deadly toxin found in South American dart frogs, five European governments said Saturday.

A joint statement from Britain, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands said they were “confident” Navanly had been poisoned after an analysis of samples taken from his body “conclusively confirmed the presence of epibatidine,” and that the Russian government was the likely culprit.

“Russia claimed that Navalny died of natural causes. But given the toxicity of epibatidine and reported symptoms, poisoning was highly likely the cause of his death. Navalny died while held in prison, meaning Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to administer this poison to him,” it continued.

The five countries said they were reporting the case to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, alleging Russia violated the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Russian authorities had previously claimed Navalny, 47, died of natural causes while serving several sentences totaling more than 30 years at a high-security prison above the Arctic Circle.

“Scientists from five European countries have established: my husband, Alexei Navalny, was poisoned with epibatidine—a neurotoxin, one of the deadliest poisons on earth. In nature, this poison can be found on the skin of the Ecuadorian dart frog. It causes paralysis, respiratory arrest, and a painful death,” she said.

“I was certain from the first day that my husband had been poisoned, but now there is proof: Putin killed Alexei with chemical weapon. I am grateful to the European states for the meticulous work they carried out over two years and for uncovering the truth. Vladimir Putin is a murderer. He must be held accountable for all his crimes.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the poisoning shows that “Vladimir Putin is prepared to use chemical weapons against his own people to remain in power. France pays tribute to this opposition figure, killed for his fight in favor of a free and democratic Russia.”

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper added: "Only the Russian government had the means, the motive, and the opportunity to use that toxin against Alexei Navalny in prison. We are here today to shine a spotlight on the Kremlin’s barbaric attempt to silence Alexei Navalny’s voice.”

Russia announced Navalny’s death on Feb. 16, 2024, just as that year’s Munich Security Conference opened. On that day, Navalnaya delivered a speech, pledging that Putin “would pay for what they have done to our country, to my family, and to my husband.” After a weeklong dispute over custody, Russia released Navalny’s body to his mother.

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[-] notaek@piefed.social 3 points 4 days ago

Western news need to spread this but you can hear the pin drop in the editors room when it is suggested. More clicks for the latest celebrity boob job.

[-] AcidiclyBasicGlitch@sh.itjust.works 5 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

I knew that Putin had tried to pull some fuckery when it came to returning Navalny's body to his family, but didn't know some of the details

TIL:

•His mother stated that authorities "are blackmailing me, they are setting conditions where, when and how my son should be buried," and that they wanted a secret burial.

•Funeral homes and hearse drivers allegedly received threats. "Unknown people are calling up people and threatening them not to take Alexei's body anywhere"

Some fucking badass facts I also learned:

•His supporters were not allowed to walk past his casket to pay respects, so instead thousands of mourners stood outside of the church together chanting "We are not afraid."

•After the service, giant crowds holding up bouquets of red carnations walked 1.5 miles together through snow to reach the cemetery.

•His casket was lowered to the theme song of his favorite movie, Terminator 2: Judgement Day

this post was submitted on 15 Feb 2026
65 points (98.5% liked)

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