The controversial death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, has sparked renewed international debate. In a joint statement, the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands claimed that Navalny was poisoned with a toxin called 'epibatidine', derived from certain South American frogs and known for its lethality. This assertion stems from scientific investigations conducted on samples taken from Navalny's body, which have reportedly confirmed the presence of the toxin.

The five nations argue that the resources and intent necessary for such a sophisticated assassination attempt, along with a blatant disregard for international regulations, could only emanate from the Russian state. They have accused Russia of violating chemical weapons treaties and stated their intention to present this case to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), underscoring the gravity of the accusations levied against the Russian government.

Navalny was found dead in February 2024 at an exiled colony in the Arctic, serving a 19-year sentence which he claimed was politically motivated. His death is viewed not only as a tragedy for political opposition in Russia but also as indicative of the broader climate of repression against dissent under Putin's administration, highlighting significant issues of human rights and state-sponsored violence.