EU sanctions six Russian scientists over alleged Navalny poisoning

The Council of the European Union imposed sanctions on six Russian researchers suspected of contributing to the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The measures freeze any assets the individuals hold in EU member states and bar them from travelling within the bloc.

The scientists are alleged to have worked on the synthesis of epibatidine, a potent toxin derived from a poison‑dart frog, as part of Russia’s chemical‑weapons programme. They were employed by the Signal Scientific Centre and the State Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology.

Navalny, who survived a previous poisoning attempt in 2020, later died in a Russian prison after being returned to Russia following treatment abroad. The EU said the sanctions underscore its commitment to combat the proliferation and use of chemical weapons.