Amid the controversy over the alleged poisoning of the Russian politician Alexey Navalny, Russia has claimed that the allegation was made to overshadow the issue of the Epstein Files. Moscow demanded that the European countries that made the allegation provide concrete data to support their claim.&nbsp;“All the accusations against Russia were of the ‘highly likely’ variety. There were no specific details,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said. “It was purely a proclamation to become the opening act of the Munich conference and to overshadow the Epstein Files. We demand they hand over concrete data on this issue," he added.<h2>Russia has ‘means, motive and opportunity’</h2>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-hitler-wanted-master-race-they-want-master-religion-us-senator-lindsey-graham-compares-khamenei-with-nazis-1771009318196">'Hitler wanted master race. They want master religion': US Senator Lindsey Graham compares Khamenei with Nazis</a>&nbsp;On February 14, a joint investigation by five European governments, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, claimed that Russia's Alexei Navalny, who died in February 2024 while imprisoned in an Arctic penal colony, was poisoned with epibatidine.&nbsp;The laboratories that tested samples taken from Navalny’s body said the substance was present and likely caused his death. Western officials say Russia had the “means, motive and opportunity” to administer the toxin.<h2>What is epibatidine?</h2>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/epstein-was-obsessed-with-girls-like-every-unmarried-billionaire-yale-professor-defends-emails-with-sex-offender-on-good-looking-blonde-student-1770906176284">Epstein was 'obsessed with girls, like every unmarried billionaire': Yale professor defends emails with sex offender on 'good-looking blonde' student</a>&nbsp;Epibatidine is a neurotoxin which is naturally found on the skin of South American poison dart frogs. It is extremely potent and acts directly on the nervous system. Epibatidine, the wildlife toxin alleged in Navalny's case, is not known to have been used in any political assassination cases before. But there are multiple cases when natural toxins have been used for lethal purposes in history.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-nuclear-talks-begin-in-geneva-from-trump-s-warnings-to-khemeni-s-rebuttal-here-s-how-we-reach-here-strait-of-hormuz-1771331434181">US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva: From Trump’s warnings to Khemeni’s rebuttal - here’s how we reach here</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Russia rejected claims that Alexei Navalny was poisoned with epibatidine, demanding concrete evidence from European governments and alleging the accusation aimed to overshadow the Epstein Files controversy.

Amid the controversy over the alleged poisoning of the Russian politician Alexey Navalny, Russia has claimed that the allegation was made to overshadow the issue of the Epstein Files. Moscow demanded that the European countries that made the allegation provide concrete data to support their claim. “All the accusations against Russia were of the ‘highly likely’ variety. There were no specific details,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said. “It was purely a proclamation to become the opening act of the Munich conference and to overshadow the Epstein Files. We demand they hand over concrete data on this issue," he added. Russia has ‘means, motive and opportunity’ Also read: 'Hitler wanted master race. They want master religion': US Senator Lindsey Graham compares Khamenei with Nazis On February 14, a joint investigation by five European governments, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, claimed that Russia's Alexei Navalny, who died in February 2024 while imprisoned in an Arctic penal colony, was poisoned with epibatidine. The laboratories that tested samples taken from Navalny’s body said the substance was present and likely caused his death. Western officials say Russia had the “means, motive and opportunity” to administer the toxin. What is epibatidine? Also read: Epstein was 'obsessed with girls, like every unmarried billionaire': Yale professor defends emails with sex offender on 'good-looking blonde' student Epibatidine is a neurotoxin which is naturally found on the skin of South American poison dart frogs. It is extremely potent and acts directly on the nervous system. Epibatidine, the wildlife toxin alleged in Navalny's case, is not known to have been used in any political assassination cases before. But there are multiple cases when natural toxins have been used for lethal purposes in history. Also read: US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva: From Trump’s warnings to Khemeni’s rebuttal - here’s how we reach here

Russia rejected claims that Alexei Navalny was poisoned with epibatidine, demanding concrete evidence from European governments and alleging the accusation aimed to overshadow the Epstein Files controversy.

‘A claim to overshadow Epstein Files’: Russia demands ‘concrete data’ on Alexei Navalny poisoning allegation

European investigators allege Alexei Navalny was poisoned with epibatidine, a rare frog-derived toxin. While natural poisons like ricin were used before, no political assassination has previously involved epibatidine.

Navalny poisoning allegations: Is this the first time wildlife toxin was allegedly used in a political assassination?

Russia's top opposition leader Alexei Navalny's lawyers and ally on Wednesday expressed concerns over his deteriorating health in prison, saying he is experiencing leg numbness and back pain. &nbsp;

The jailed Kremlin critic began feeling serious back pain last week, and later experienced numbness in his leg and was unable to stand on it, his close ally Leonid Volkov said, as reported by news agency Reuters. &nbsp;

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He also said that Navalny had only been given two pills of Ibuprofen to get some respite.&nbsp;

Olga Mikhailova, one of the lawyers representing Navalny, also confirmed that he complained recently of strong back pain and his leg went numb this week, reports news agency AFP.&nbsp;

The lawyer added that a neurologist was unable to diagnose the Kremlin critic's problem and simply gave Ibuprofen.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/kremlin-critic-alexei-navalny-claims-he-is-locked-up-in-concentration-camp-outside-moscow-370910">Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny claims he is locked up in 'concentration camp' outside Moscow</a>

"That's all his treatment," Mikhailova said, suggesting that the pill did not ease out Navalny's pain.&nbsp;

"I don't know what's wrong with him. He should be seen by a proper doctor."&nbsp;

Maria Pevchikh, chief of investigations at Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation also expressed her concern on Twitter over the deterioration of health, saying "his life is in danger".&nbsp;

"We believe that Navalny's life is in danger and demand immediate access to him for his lawyers," Pevchikh wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

Volkov also claimed that the prison administration might be covering up the worsening of Navalny's health and he might have been shifted to a prison infirmary.

Russia's top opposition leader Alexei Navalny's lawyers and ally on Wednesday expressed concerns over his deteriorating health in prison, saying he is experiencing leg numbness and back pain.

Russia's top opposition leader Alexei Navalny's lawyers and ally on Wednesday expressed concerns over his deteriorating health in prison, saying he is experiencing leg numbness and back pain. The jailed Kremlin critic began feeling serious back pain last week, and later experienced numbness in his leg and was unable to stand on it, his close ally Leonid Volkov said, as reported by news agency Reuters. Watch | He also said that Navalny had only been given two pills of Ibuprofen to get some respite. Olga Mikhailova, one of the lawyers representing Navalny, also confirmed that he complained recently of strong back pain and his leg went numb this week, reports news agency AFP. The lawyer added that a neurologist was unable to diagnose the Kremlin critic's problem and simply gave Ibuprofen. Also read | Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny claims he is locked up in 'concentration camp' outside Moscow "That's all his treatment," Mikhailova said, suggesting that the pill did not ease out Navalny's pain. "I don't know what's wrong with him. He should be seen by a proper doctor." Maria Pevchikh, chief of investigations at Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation also expressed her concern on Twitter over the deterioration of health, saying "his life is in danger". "We believe that Navalny's life is in danger and demand immediate access to him for his lawyers," Pevchikh wrote on Twitter. Volkov also claimed that the prison administration might be covering up the worsening of Navalny's health and he might have been shifted to a prison infirmary.

Alexei Navalny's health deteriorating in prison, claim his lawyers

Russia on Wednesday warned the United States it would "rebuff aggression" after Washington imposed sanctions on Kremlin's officials over the poisoning of prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny.&nbsp;

"We will continue to systematically and resolutely defend our national interests and rebuff aggression," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

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She further threatened the United States that Kremlin's reaction would be based on "reciprocity and not necessarily symmetrically."

The comments came after the US along with the European Union on Tuesday imposed penalties after US intelligence concluded that Russia was behind the poisoning of Navalny.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sanctions-will-worsen-strained-ties-with-us-russia-on-navalny-row-367529">Sanctions will worsen strained ties with US: Russia on Navalny row</a>

Accusing Washington of "trying to cultivate the image of an external enemy," the spokesperson asked the US and its European allies to "not play with fire".&nbsp;

Biden's administration has frozen any US assets of seven Russian officials, including the director of FSB, Russia's intelligence organisation.&nbsp;

It has also criminalised any transactions with these seven officials.&nbsp;

The action has been taken after US intelligence assessed "with high confidence" that FSB officials poisoned Navalny with the nerve agent Novichok on August 20, 2020, a US official told reporters.

"The US government has exercised its authorities to send a clear signal that Russia's use of chemical weapons and abuse of human rights have severe consequences," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement said.

 
&nbsp;

Russia on Wednesday warned the United States it would "rebuff aggression" after Washington imposed sanctions on Kremlin's officials over the poisoning of prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Russia on Wednesday warned the United States it would "rebuff aggression" after Washington imposed sanctions on Kremlin's officials over the poisoning of prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny. "We will continue to systematically and resolutely defend our national interests and rebuff aggression," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. Watch | She further threatened the United States that Kremlin's reaction would be based on "reciprocity and not necessarily symmetrically." The comments came after the US along with the European Union on Tuesday imposed penalties after US intelligence concluded that Russia was behind the poisoning of Navalny. Also read | Sanctions will worsen strained ties with US: Russia on Navalny row Accusing Washington of "trying to cultivate the image of an external enemy," the spokesperson asked the US and its European allies to "not play with fire". Biden's administration has frozen any US assets of seven Russian officials, including the director of FSB, Russia's intelligence organisation. It has also criminalised any transactions with these seven officials. The action has been taken after US intelligence assessed "with high confidence" that FSB officials poisoned Navalny with the nerve agent Novichok on August 20, 2020, a US official told reporters. "The US government has exercised its authorities to send a clear signal that Russia's use of chemical weapons and abuse of human rights have severe consequences," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement said.

'Don't play with fire': Russia warns US, its allies over sanctions on Navalny poisoning

A top doctor who treated Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny after he was poisoned last year has died "suddenly", the hospital on Thursday said.&nbsp;

"With regret, we inform you that...the deputy chief physician for anesthesiology and resuscitation of the emergency hospital №1, assistant of the department of Omsk State Medical University, PhD of medical sciences Maksimishin Sergey Valentinovich suddenly passed away," a statement by the hospital said, as reported by CNN.&nbsp;

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The Kremlin critic was admitted to acute poisoning unit of Omsk emergency hospital No. 1 on August 20 last year after he was fell sick due to the Novichok in a plane heading to Moscow from Siberia. &nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/days-of-us-rolling-over-gone-biden-warns-china-russia-in-first-diplomatic-speech-361464">Days of US 'rolling over' gone: Biden warns China, Russia in first diplomatic speech</a>

Navalny was hospitalised in Omsk after the plane made an emergency landing.&nbsp;

He was then taken to Germany where he was then treated and recovered.

Navalny blames for its poisoning Russian President Vladimir Putin and the nation's security service, accusations that Kremlin has continually denied.&nbsp;

Leonid Volkov, Navalny's chief of staff, confirmed that Sergey Valentinovich was in charge of treating the Kremlin critic.&nbsp;

"Sergey Maximishin was the head of department that treated Alexey Navalny and was in charge of his treatment — specifically his medically induced coma," Volkov was quoted as saying by CNN.

"(Maximishim) knew more than anyone else about Alexey's condition so I can't dismiss possibility of foul play."&nbsp;

However, he added that Russia's health system is "very poor" and doctors in the past have died "suddenly".

"Russia's health care system is very poor and it's not uncommon for doctors of his age to suddenly die. I doubt there will any investigation into his death," Navalny's chief of staff said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A top doctor who treated Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny after he was poisoned last year has died "suddenly", the hospital on Thursday said. "With regret, we inform you that.

A top doctor who treated Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny after he was poisoned last year has died "suddenly", the hospital on Thursday said. "With regret, we inform you that...the deputy chief physician for anesthesiology and resuscitation of the emergency hospital №1, assistant of the department of Omsk State Medical University, PhD of medical sciences Maksimishin Sergey Valentinovich suddenly passed away," a statement by the hospital said, as reported by CNN. Watch | The Kremlin critic was admitted to acute poisoning unit of Omsk emergency hospital No. 1 on August 20 last year after he was fell sick due to the Novichok in a plane heading to Moscow from Siberia. Also read | Days of US 'rolling over' gone: Biden warns China, Russia in first diplomatic speech Navalny was hospitalised in Omsk after the plane made an emergency landing. He was then taken to Germany where he was then treated and recovered. Navalny blames for its poisoning Russian President Vladimir Putin and the nation's security service, accusations that Kremlin has continually denied. Leonid Volkov, Navalny's chief of staff, confirmed that Sergey Valentinovich was in charge of treating the Kremlin critic. "Sergey Maximishin was the head of department that treated Alexey Navalny and was in charge of his treatment — specifically his medically induced coma," Volkov was quoted as saying by CNN. "(Maximishim) knew more than anyone else about Alexey's condition so I can't dismiss possibility of foul play." However, he added that Russia's health system is "very poor" and doctors in the past have died "suddenly". "Russia's health care system is very poor and it's not uncommon for doctors of his age to suddenly die. I doubt there will any investigation into his death," Navalny's chief of staff said.

Top Russian doctor who treated Navalny after poisoning dies

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny claimed on Monday that he tricked a spy agent into confessing that Novichok was applied on his underwear to poison him.&nbsp;

"I called my killer. He confessed everything," Navalny wrote on Twitter.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-cares-about-him-if-we-wanted-we-would-have-made-it-done-putin-on-navalny-poisoning-350514">Who cares about him, if we wanted, we would have made it done: Putin on Navalny poisoning</a>

Navalny in a blog post revealed how he disguised himself as an aide to Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev when he called Konstantin Kudryavtsev, a member of Russia's domestic spy agency FSB.&nbsp;

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He convinced the agent that he was an aide of FSB general and wanted an official report on the attempted poisoning.&nbsp;

Other than the blog post, Navalny also released an audio recording and a transcript of the call.&nbsp;

The alleged conversation took place hours after Bellingcat, an investigative website, released the details of Russian agents that were involved in the poisoning.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Kudryavtsev told Navalny that agent's colleagues had applied novichok to the "inner seams" of the latter's boxer shorts in the Siberian city of Tomsk.

The Russian opposition leader's health worsened suddenly in a flight from Siberia to Moscow in August.

He was initially hospitalised in the Russian city of Omsk before being shited to Berlin for treatment.&nbsp;

Following the report by Bellingcat, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that if he wanted, Navalny would be dead by now.&nbsp;

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny claimed on Monday that he tricked a spy agent into confessing that Novichok was applied on his underwear to poison him. "I called my killer.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny claimed on Monday that he tricked a spy agent into confessing that Novichok was applied on his underwear to poison him. "I called my killer. He confessed everything," Navalny wrote on Twitter. Also read | Who cares about him, if we wanted, we would have made it done: Putin on Navalny poisoning Navalny in a blog post revealed how he disguised himself as an aide to Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev when he called Konstantin Kudryavtsev, a member of Russia's domestic spy agency FSB. × He convinced the agent that he was an aide of FSB general and wanted an official report on the attempted poisoning. Other than the blog post, Navalny also released an audio recording and a transcript of the call. The alleged conversation took place hours after Bellingcat, an investigative website, released the details of Russian agents that were involved in the poisoning. Kudryavtsev told Navalny that agent's colleagues had applied novichok to the "inner seams" of the latter's boxer shorts in the Siberian city of Tomsk. The Russian opposition leader's health worsened suddenly in a flight from Siberia to Moscow in August. He was initially hospitalised in the Russian city of Omsk before being shited to Berlin for treatment. Following the report by Bellingcat, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that if he wanted, Navalny would be dead by now.

Russian opposition leader Navalny says agent admits poison was put in his underwear

Russia's main opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned in August by an undercover hit squad working for Kremlin's spy agency, a report has claimed.&nbsp;

The squad, which was working with FSB spy agency, was tracking Navalny since 2017 and the operation began when he decided to run against President Vladimir Putin in presidential elections, Bellingcat, an investigative website has said.&nbsp;

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It mentioned "voluminous" travel and telecoms data to back the claims.&nbsp;

In more than 30 destinations, the surveillance team followed him, Bellingcat said.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/navalny-poisoning-putin-critic-survived-the-second-assassination-attempt-349605">Navalny poisoning: Putin critic survived the second assassination attempt</a>

The joint investigation between Bellingcat and The Insider also found that "FSB operatives from a clandestine unit specialized in working with poisonous substances shadowed Navalny" during his visits across Russia. &nbsp;

Pointing to the data collected for the investigation, the report also said that the "highest echelons of the Kremlin" approved Navalny's poisoning.&nbsp;

These findings come at a time when another report by the Sunday Times of London has claimed that attempts were made to poison the Russian opposition leader again.&nbsp;

It said when Navalny was undergoing treatment for poisoning in the Russian city Omsk, Kremlin agents tried to poison him.&nbsp;

"This was with a view to him being dead by the time he arrived in Berlin," a source was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

However, Navalny liked survived due to the antidote atropine that was administered by the ambulance crew.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Russia's main opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned in August by an undercover hit squad working for Kremlin's spy agency, a report has claimed. The squad, which was working with FSB spy agency, was tracking Navalny since 2017 and the operation began when he decided to run against President Vladimir Putin in presidential elections, Bellingcat, an investigative website has said.

Russia's main opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned in August by an undercover hit squad working for Kremlin's spy agency, a report has claimed. The squad, which was working with FSB spy agency, was tracking Navalny since 2017 and the operation began when he decided to run against President Vladimir Putin in presidential elections, Bellingcat, an investigative website has said. Watch | It mentioned "voluminous" travel and telecoms data to back the claims. In more than 30 destinations, the surveillance team followed him, Bellingcat said. Also read | Navalny poisoning: Putin critic survived the second assassination attempt The joint investigation between Bellingcat and The Insider also found that "FSB operatives from a clandestine unit specialized in working with poisonous substances shadowed Navalny" during his visits across Russia. Pointing to the data collected for the investigation, the report also said that the "highest echelons of the Kremlin" approved Navalny's poisoning. These findings come at a time when another report by the Sunday Times of London has claimed that attempts were made to poison the Russian opposition leader again. It said when Navalny was undergoing treatment for poisoning in the Russian city Omsk, Kremlin agents tried to poison him. "This was with a view to him being dead by the time he arrived in Berlin," a source was quoted as saying. However, Navalny liked survived due to the antidote atropine that was administered by the ambulance crew.

Alexei Navalny was poisoned by Russia's spy agency: Report

The allies of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny are demanding a proper Russian investigation into the Alexi Navalny's poisoning case. Watch report.

Fineprint: 'Probe would reveal Russian connection' into Alexi Navalny's poisoning

Russian police on Friday said they would ask Germany to question Kremlin's opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is undergoing treatment in Berlin.&nbsp;

The development came after a German magazine reported on Thursday said that Navalny has made progress in his recovery and is able to speak again.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalnys-condition-improves-russia-still-sees-no-ground-for-criminal-case-326588">Alexei Navalny's condition improves, Russia still sees no ground for criminal case</a>

It is being understood by Der Spiegel that "Navalny can speak again and can likely remember details about his collapse."

Germany says that Navalny, a well-known critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was poisoned by a soviet-style Novichok nerve agent, a claim denied by Moscow.&nbsp;

Navalny's alleged poisoning has raised eyebrows in West, with experts questioning Moscow's role in an attempt to silence its most prominent critic.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said there was a "substantial chance" his poisoning was ordered by top Russian officials.

Russian police on Friday said they would ask Germany to question Kremlin's opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is undergoing treatment in Berlin. The development came after a German magazine reported on Thursday said that Navalny has made progress in his recovery and is able to speak again.

Russian police on Friday said they would ask Germany to question Kremlin's opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is undergoing treatment in Berlin. The development came after a German magazine reported on Thursday said that Navalny has made progress in his recovery and is able to speak again. Also read | Alexei Navalny's condition improves, Russia still sees no ground for criminal case It is being understood by Der Spiegel that "Navalny can speak again and can likely remember details about his collapse." Germany says that Navalny, a well-known critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was poisoned by a soviet-style Novichok nerve agent, a claim denied by Moscow. Navalny's alleged poisoning has raised eyebrows in West, with experts questioning Moscow's role in an attempt to silence its most prominent critic. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said there was a "substantial chance" his poisoning was ordered by top Russian officials.

Russian police seek to question Alexei Navalny in Germany

Abandoning the nearly complete Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany could create a legal mess and nudge up energy costs for European households but Germany would cope with any disruption to supplies, economists say. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas at the weekend questioned the project -- thus far supported by Germany -- following the suspected poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Alleged poisoning of Alexei Navalny leads Germany to review Nord Stream 2 project