Britain has blamed the Kremlin for killing opposition leader Alexei Navalny, which it said was likely done using a poison developed from a dart frog toxin.
Two years on from the death of Mr Navalny at a Siberian penal colony, the UK and its allies have pinned the blame on the Russian state following analysis of material samples found on his body.
The Russian authorities have previously strenuously denied any involvement in his death.
There is no innocent explanation for the toxin Epibatidine being found on Mr Navalny’s body, the Foreign Office said.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has met with Mr Navalny’s widow Yulia Navalnaya at the Munich Security Conference this weekend.
Mrs Navalnaya announced her husband’s death at the gathering in 2024.
Ms Cooper said: “Since Yulia Navalnaya announced the loss of her husband here in Munich two years ago, the UK has pursued the truth of Alexei Navalny’s death with fierce determination
“Only the Russian Government had the means, motive and opportunity to deploy this lethal toxin against Alexei Navalny during his imprisonment in Russia.
“Today, beside his widow, the UK is shining a light on the Kremlin’s barbaric plot to silence his voice.
“Russia saw Navalny as a threat.
“By using this form of poison the Russian state demonstrated the despicable tools it has at its disposal and the overwhelming fear it has of political opposition.”
