The mother of Russian political opponent Alexei Navalny demands justice for her poisoned son

Two years after the death of the anti-corruption activist, five European states accuse the Kremlin of poisoning him with a rare toxin called pibatidine while he was in prison. The Kremlin denies the “unfounded” accusations.

Published on: 16/02/2026 at 11:35, Last updated on: 16/02/2026 at 12:01

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Image description: A tribute with flowers in memory of the Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, one year after his death on February 16, 2025, in front of the Russian embassy in Prague (Czech Republic). (MICHAL CIZEK / AFP)

“It confirms what we knew from the beginning. We knew that our son did not just die in prison, he was murdered.” For Alexei Navalny’s mother, there is no doubt about the circumstances of the death of the Russian political opponent. Two years after her son’s death, the main opponent of Vladimir Putin, she demanded “justice” on Monday, February 16, during a speech at Alexei Navalny’s grave in Moscow.

Two days ago, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, Germany, and the Netherlands released the findings of an investigation into the death of the Russian opposition figure, who died under unclear circumstances at the age of 47. The five European countries accuse Moscow of “poisoning” him with a “rare toxin,” pibatidine, found in the skin of Ecuadorian poison frogs. “There is no rational explanation for its presence in Navalny’s body,” the British government states.

“I have already said that those who gave this order are known worldwide,” urged Alexei Navalny’s mother. “I am just repeating it. And we want all those involved to be identified.” On Monday, the Kremlin deemed the conclusions of the European investigation “unfounded.” “We do not accept such accusations. We consider them biased and unfounded,” reacted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov.