Navalny case: France, Sweden confirmed use of Novichok for poison attack, says Germany

German government said on September 14 that specialist laboratories in France and Sweden have confirmed poisoning of Russian opposition leer Alexei Navalny with  nerve nt vichok. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesperson Steffen Seibert said in a statement that Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has also received samples to have those tested at its laboratories.

“Independently of ongoing examinations by OPCW, three laboratories have w confirmed independently of one ar proof of a nerve nt of vichok group as cause of Mr. Navalny’s poisoning,” Seibert said in a statement.

German health authorities h earlier confirmed poisoning of Navalny with a nerve nt from vichok group, citing toxicological test results. Seibert said that Germany h asked France and Sweden for an “independent review” of findings which matched outcome of German military laboratory. He renewed Germany’s call for an explanation by Kremlin behind poisoning.

“We are in close consultation with our European partners on furr steps,” he ded.

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Intelligence report

Last week, a German magazine reported that Soviet-style nerve nt from vichok group used to poison Russian opposition leer Alexei Navalny was “harder” than previous forms. According to Der Spiegel, Germany’s foreign intelligence service informed in a “secret meeting” that strength of toxin indicates possible involvement of Russian President Vlimir Putin in case.

Russian police continue to seek access to Navalny for questioning after Moscow rubbished Germany’s findings in Kremlin critic’s toxicology report. Siberian transport police said in a statement that Russia would prepare a request to let its officers and an “expert” show German investigators as y probe Navalny’s case.

"Attempts to somehow associate Russia with what happened are unacceptable to us, y are absurd," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on September 7.

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(With AP inputs)