February 14, 2026

Toxin used to poison Alexei Navalny was synthesized at the same institute that created the Novichok nerve agent

In 2013, employees of the Moscow-based State Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology, known by its Russian acronym GosNIIOKhT, published a scientific paper describing a method for producing epibatidine

Toxin used to poison Alexei Navalny was synthesized at the same institute that created the Novichok nerve agent

TL;DR

  • Epibatidine, a deadly toxin found in Ecuadorian poison dart frogs, was detected in samples from Alexei Navalny's body.
  • Multiple European laboratories confirmed the presence of epibatidine.
  • A 2013 paper by GosNIIOKhT employees described a method for producing epibatidine.
  • GosNIIOKhT is also associated with the synthesis of Novichok nerve agents, used in previous poisonings.
  • The UK government holds the Russian state responsible for Navalny's death, citing means, motive, and opportunity to use the toxin.
  • The UK and its partners reported the incident to the OPCW, accusing Russia of violating the Chemical Weapons Convention.

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