Key facts
- The EU has sanctioned six individuals for their alleged role in developing the toxin that killed Alexei Navalny.
- The sanctioned individuals are primarily scientists and researchers involved with chemical weapons development.
- The toxin, epibatidine, was found in samples from Navalny's body.
- The EU sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans for the targeted individuals.
- Russia has requested concrete data to support allegations of Moscow's involvement in Navalny's death.
The European Union has imposed sanctions on six individuals, most of whom are scientists and researchers, for their alleged involvement in developing the toxin that caused the death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. The EU stated these individuals participated in the creation of chemical weapons, specifically epibatidine, which was detected in samples taken from Navalny's body after his death.
Epibatidine, a toxin found in poison dart frogs in South America, is not naturally occurring in Russia. Russia has called on European nations that accuse Moscow of poisoning Navalny to provide concrete data to support their allegations.
Those listed under the EU's sanctions program are subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban to the EU. This action is part of a broader EU sanctions package against Russia, which also targets individuals and entities linked to the war in Ukraine, its shadow fleet, and disinformation campaigns. This package adds 34 individuals and 47 entities to the EU sanctions list, including those supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex and involved in transporting Russian oil through the shadow fleet network.