The EU Council imposes sanctions on six people involved in Navalny’s poisoning and death

Brussels – The Council of the European Union decided today (3 July) to impose restrictive measures on six Russian nationals involved in the development of chemical weapons, specifically epibatidine. This is a toxin that was found in samples taken from the body of the opposition figure Alexei Navalny, died in a Russian penal colony, leading to the conclusion that poisoning with this substance was “in all likelihood” the cause of his death. 

The individuals added today to the sanctions lists are scientists and researchers working in the military sector. Some of them have worked at the Signal Scientific Centre (also known as SC Signal), where they conducted research and published articles on the synthesis of epibatidine, thereby contributing to its development as a chemical weapon. Among them is Igor Babkin, head of the laboratory at SC Signal. 

Furthermore, the Council has added Irina Derevyagina, a chemical research analyst at the State Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology (GosNIIOKhT), who plays a central role in Russia’s chemical weapons programme, and Mikhail Gutsalyuk, head of the department for the organisation of scientific work and the training of scientific and teaching staff at the Military Academy of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence. 

The EU’s restrictive measures against the use and proliferation of chemical weapons now apply to a total of 31 individuals and six entities. Those affected are subject to an asset freeze, and it is prohibited to provide them, directly or indirectly, with funds or economic resources. Furthermore, they are prohibited from entering the EU.