Kremlin Denies Navalny Poisoning: Dart Frog Toxin Claims

The Kremlin has dismissed accusations from five European countries that the Russian state was responsible for the death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny two years ago, alleging the claims are “not based on anything.” Analyses of samples taken from Navalny’s body have reportedly confirmed the presence of a toxin from poison dart frogs.

Alexei Navalny Death: Russia Rejects Poisoning Allegations

Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition leader, died in February 2024 at the age of 47 while imprisoned in the Arctic, a month before Vladimir Putin was re-elected in a vote Western nations deemed neither free nor fair.

In a joint statement on Saturday, Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands said analyses of samples from Mr. Navalny’s body “conclusively” confirmed the presence of epibatidine, a toxin found in poison dart frogs native to South America and not naturally occurring in Russia.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday that Moscow views the European allegations negatively and considers them false. “Naturally, we do not accept such accusations. We disagree with them,” Peskov said. “We consider them biased and unfounded. And, in fact, we strongly reject them.”

Russian authorities, who have outlawed Mr. Navalny’s movement as extremist, have previously denied accusations from his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, that the state was involved in his death, attributing it to natural causes.

Epibatidine, found in the Ecuadorian dart frog, causes muscle paralysis and eventual asphyxiation. Experts note the toxin can also be produced synthetically.

The European statement did not detail how the toxin was administered or by whom.

Dozens of people visited Mr. Navalny’s grave in Moscow early Monday to mark the anniversary of his death. Some attendees wore masks or scarves over their faces.