Germany, UK, France, and Sweden reply to Russia’s questions about Navalny’s poisoning
The German, UK, French, and Swedish missions to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have replied to Russia’s questions about the August 2020 poisoning of Alexey Navalny.
To Russia’s question claiming that the formula of the toxic chemical found in Navalny’s biomedical samples is “still hidden from Russian experts,” Germany replied that it provided “fully sufficient information,” which was later confirmed and reiterated by the OPCW. Germany also underscored that the Russian authorities “have all the necessary information at their disposal to launch an investigation” into the attempt on Navalny’s life.
In turn, the UK stated its solidarity with Germany’s position. Both countries also noted that Russia has failed to answer questions previously submitted by 45 OPCW member states, and hasn’t provided sufficient information to address the doubts and concerns raised over Navalny’s poisoning.
France also stated that based on its own analysis, the results of which were delivered to Germany in response to a bilateral communication request, it shares the same conclusions.
France added that it decided not to go through with a request from Russia for mutual assistance in the investigation. “It is above all the responsibility of the Russian Federation to open a credible, transparent inquiry into this criminal offense committed in its territory, against a Russian citizen, using a nerve agent developed by Russia,” France said in its reply.
Finally, Sweden replied that in the Navalny case, it acted in the framework of a German request and hence referred questions about the “formula of the chemicals” to Germany.
In October 2020, the OPCW confirmed Germany’s conclusion that Alexey Navalny was poisoned with a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group. A joint investigation by The Insider and Bellingcat later implicated FSB operatives in the assassination attempt on Navalny. Russia continues to deny any involvement in Navalny’s poisoning and refuses to launch an investigation.
In early October, OPCW member countries sent the Russian authorities questions about Navalny’s poisoning. Russia’s permanent representative to the OPCW Alexander Shulgin reported that Moscow “gave an exhaustive answer within two days,” and also sent its own questions back for Germany, France, and Sweden.
