Russia denies allegations of using dart frog toxin to poison Navalny

Five European countries have accused Russia of using a toxin found in dart frogs to kill Alexey Navalny, a jailed opposition leader. The Kremlin has rejected these claims.

The UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden issued a joint statement on Saturday, stating that they believe Navalny was poisoned with epibatidine, a toxin found in poison dart frogs. They also stated that Russia had the means, motive, and opportunity to administer it.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied these accusations during a briefing call on Monday. “We naturally do not accept such accusations,” he said. “We disagree with them. We consider them biased and baseless.” He added that the Kremlin “strongly rejects” the claims.

Navalny died in an Arctic prison colony on February 16, 2024, while serving a 19-year sentence for “extremism”. His supporters say the charge was punishment for his opposition work. The Russian government designated Navalny and his organisation as “extremist” before his death.

Epibatidine is found naturally in dart frogs, which live in rainforests in South America. It can also be manufactured in a lab, according to European scientists. The poison works by causing shortness of breath, convulsions, seizures, and a slowed heart rate, leading to death.

Navalny had previously survived a suspected poisoning with the Novichok nerve agent in 2020. Russia’s prison service reported that he died after going for a walk and falling ill. Since Navalny’s death, Russia’s opposition has remained largely exiled and fragmented. His widow, Yulia Navalnaya, has pledged to take on the mantle of Russia’s opposition but has struggled to gain widespread support.

Foreign diplomats and dozens of Navalny’s supporters visited his grave in Moscow on Monday to mark the anniversary of his death.

Source: Al Jazeera