International investigators have found traces of poisonous substances in tissue samples from the corpse of a Russian opposition politician, marking a new twist in the story surrounding Alexei Navalny’s death.
The discovery could increase pressure on Moscow, as Western countries continue to demand accountability.
According to British and other international reports, samples taken after Navalny’s death revealed the presence of a rare agent known as tetrodotoxin, developed from the toxins found in a dart frog. This supports suspicions that the opposition leader did not die of natural causes in a Siberian prison camp, where he had been held in harsh conditions.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper blustered:
Only the Russian government had the means, motive, and opportunity to administer this deadly poison to Alexei Navalny while he was in Russian custody.
The discovery has given new impetus to international investigations, with several Western countries calling for an independent and transparent inquiry. Navalny’s death had already caused serious diplomatic tensions between Russia and the West Now—in light of the new evidence—international pressure on Moscow is expected to intensify.
Navalny was one of Russia’s best-known opposition politicians, recognised for his anti-corruption campaigns and sharp criticism of the Kremlin. He died suddenly in prison on February 16th, 2024, at the age of 47. After his death, biological samples smuggled out of Russia were examined by laboratories of two countries.
