UK and four other European countries say Navalny was poisoned in prison

This was reported in a joint statement published on the UK government website, Ukrinform reports.

"Two years after the Munich Security Conference was shocked by the news of the leading Russian opposition figure's death, consistent, collaborative work has confirmed through laboratory testing that the deadly toxin found in the skin of Ecuador dart frogs (epibatidine) was found in samples from Alexei Navalny's body and highly likely resulted in his death," the statement said.

It was noted that only Russia had the means, motive, and opportunity to use this lethal toxin against Navalny while he was held in a correctional colony in Siberia.

"And we hold it [Russia] responsible for his death," the statement added.

Epibatidine is found in Ecuadorian frogs in the wild in South America. In captivity, the frogs do not produce this toxin, and it is not found in Russia.

"There is no innocent explanation for its presence in Navalny's body. Russia has brazenly developed and deployed this poison in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention," the statement said.

The UK informed the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons about Russia's blatant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

"Alongside partners the UK will continue to hold Russia to account for its actions," the statement added.

As reported, Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny died on February 16, 2024, in a Russian prison colony. His wife, Yulia Navalnaya, and the politician's associates accused Vladimir Putin of orchestrating his murder.