Germany: "Navalny Attacked with Military-Grade Biochemical Weapon... Russia Must Explain"

German Government Officially Confirms Navalny Novichok Attack
Merkel "Russia Must Answer This Issue"
US and UK Also Increase Pressure on Russia

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The German government has confirmed that Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny was attacked with the nerve agent Novichok. Western countries including Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom have pressured Russia to provide an explanation regarding this issue.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a statement and answered questions from the press on the 2nd (local time) at the Chancellor's Office in Berlin regarding the case of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny, who fell into a coma due to poisoning. The German government announced that a Novichok-class chemical nerve agent was used on Navalny that day. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 2nd (local time), Steffen Seibert, spokesperson for the German Chancellor's Office, announced that the German Federal Armed Forces' investigation confirmed that a Novichok-type chemical nerve agent was used on Navalny. The Charit? Hospital in Germany, which had been treating Navalny, previously stated that he was poisoned by a cholinesterase inhibitor substance but could not specify the exact substance. Since Novichok is a biochemical weapon developed by the Soviet Union for military use in the 1970s and 1980s, the possibility of Russian government involvement in the Navalny attack has significantly increased.

Previously, in 2018 in Salisbury, UK, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, who had turned against Russia, were attacked using Novichok. At that time, strong suspicions of Russian involvement were raised.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a press conference, stating, "Navalny is a victim of a crime committed by those who wanted to silence him," and added, "There are serious questions that the Russian government can and must answer." She continued, "The crime against Navalny violates all the values and fundamental rights we have upheld," and said, "The world's attention is focused on Navalny's fate, and the world is waiting for answers."

Alexei Navalny Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

In response, Russia expressed willingness to cooperate. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian Presidential Administration, stated, "We are ready to exchange information and fully cooperate with Germany on this matter." However, he added, "Germany must provide evidence that Navalny was poisoned with Novichok before an investigation can begin." He also said, "Tests conducted in Russia before Navalny traveled to Germany did not detect any poison."

Despite Russia's explanation that it will investigate once relevant materials are provided, the international community has stepped up pressure on Russia. Western countries including the United States and the United Kingdom have raised their voices demanding Russia clarify the issue.

Dominic Raab, UK Foreign Secretary, said, "We are concerned about the findings revealed by the German government," and asserted, "Those responsible for using chemical weapons banned under international treaties will be held accountable." Raab added, "Russia must answer what happened to Navalny."

A spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council also stated, "(The use of Novichok on Navalny) is condemnable," and said, "Russia has used nerve agents in the past. The United States, together with its allies and the international community, will demand an explanation from Russia."

Some speculate that Germany may impose sanctions against Russia. In fact, Germany has announced that it will consider appropriate responses with neighboring countries regarding this incident.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.