Alexei Navalny’s Death Linked to Highly Rare Poison,Epibatidine
Alexei Navalny,the prominent Russian opposition leader,reportedly died due to poisoning by epibatidine,a highly toxic alkaloid found in the skin of poison dart frogs. This determination comes from laboratory analysis conducted in Europe, confirmed by the UK government and its allies, though Russia disputes these findings.
What is Epibatidine?
Epibatidine is an extremely potent neurotoxin. According to toxicologist Adam Hay, even a tiny amount can be lethal. “It interferes with the way nerves transmit signals, leading to cardiac arrest and respiratory failure,” Hay explained. He further noted that the toxicity of epibatidine can be “enhanced with the simultaneous administration of certain other drugs, and these combinations have been studied.”
The poison is naturally produced by the Anthony’s poison dart frog (Phyllobates anthonyi), a species native to ecuador and Peru. These frogs accumulate the toxin through their diet, specifically certain insects.If the frog’s diet changes, its epibatidine reserves deplete.
“Finding a wild frog in the right place, eating the right food to produce the right alkaloids, is almost impossible,” stated researcher Matt Johnson. He emphasized that human poisoning by epibatidine is exceptionally rare. “This is a very rare method of human poisoning. The only other known case of epibatidine poisoning that I am aware of was laboratory-based and non-fatal.”
Examination and Reactions
European laboratories confirmed the presence of an unspecified toxin in Navalny’s system, prompting accusations of foul play from Western governments.
The Russian government initially claimed Navalny died of natural causes. However, his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, maintains her husband was deliberately poisoned.
The Russian embassy in London has vehemently denied any involvement in Navalny’s death, dismissing the accusations as “ravings of Western storytellers” and “propaganda of death.” Kremlin spokesperson Maria Zakharova characterized the reports as a disinformation campaign intended to distract from Western issues, according to the state news agency Tass.
Navalny was serving a three-year prison sentence in a Siberian penal colony at the time of his death. russian authorities reported that he felt unwell during a walk, lost consciousness, and did not regain it.
Sources:
* BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68449999
* Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/what-is-epibatidine-poison-linked-navalny-death-2024-03-02/
* TASS: https://tass.com/politics/1764699