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The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) believes that the use of a neurotoxin from the Novitschok group has been tested against Russian opposition politician Alexej Navalny.
In a brief announcement on the organization’s website, the OPCW reported that examination of Nawalny’s samples had confirmed the laboratory results obtained so far, including those from Germany, France and Sweden.
The Novitschok substance group does not mention the OPCW in its statement. Instead, the organization notes that a substance was found in the samples examined by Navalny that had “similar structural characteristics” to the poison found after an attack on Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in 2018. A substance from the Novitschok group was also used against Skripal. .
The poison evidently developed further
At the time, the OPCW included the poison found in Skripal’s blood on a list of prohibited substances. According to the findings of the German security authorities, the substance now found from the Nowitschok Group is a further development of the poison used against Skripal. Experts assume that the poison used is no less dangerous, but acts more slowly.
As in previous cases of Novichok poisoning, the organization wants a detailed secret report on the investigations to be available only to member states.
A few weeks ago, OPCW experts traveled to Berlin to take samples from Navalny. The Kremlin critic was treated in Berlin after the poison attack in late August.
The federal government reported early on that Navalny was poisoned with Novichok. After a special Bundeswehr laboratory isolated traces of the banned neurotoxin in Navalny’s blood, Berlin asked Russia to clarify the case.
The federal government assumes that only state agencies can own and use Novitschok. Criminal records are excluded due to the complex nature of the neurotoxin.
Shortly after the OPCW communication, government spokesman Steffen Seibert commented. The OPCW investigation confirms “once again unequivocal evidence that Alexej Navalny was the victim of an attack with a chemical nerve agent from the Novitschok group.” The use of the substance is “a serious process and cannot be without consequences,” Seibert said.
The federal government again asks Russia for an explanation
The results of the OPCW will undoubtedly feed into the question of possible punitive measures against Russia. Chancellor Angela Merkel had always emphasized that after confirmation by the OPCW, reactions would be discussed with EU partner states, but also with the US.
Behind the scenes, Berlin has already discussed measures with various partners. Until now, it has been kept strictly a secret how these should look. EU heads of government will discuss this next week. Government spokesman Seibert again appealed to Russia to “explain what happened.”
Greens for punitive measures: “Anything else would make Germany implausible”
The Greens demanded that the German government quickly impose punitive measures against Russia after the clear outcome of the OPCW. “After Ms Merkel’s harsh words five weeks ago, concrete action must now be taken,” foreign policy spokesman Omid Nouripour told SPIEGEL. “Anything else would make Germany untrustworthy,” added Nouripour.
Alexei Navalny collapsed on a scheduled flight from Siberia to Moscow in late August. Only an emergency landing of the plane saved his life, as doctors on the ground immediately treated him with an antidote.
After a few days in a Russian hospital, Navalny was finally taken to Berlin on a special plane and treated at the Charité. The politician is now much better, but continues to receive medical attention.
