The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has condemned Russia for its inadequate investigation into the poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny in 2020, which the West believes was an assassination attempt, and ordered Russia to pay Navalny 40,000 euros in damages.
The European Court of Human Rights Tuesday condemned Russia for failing to properly investigate the 2020 poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny which the West says was an assassination bid.
The Strasbourg-based ECHR said Russia had notably failed “to explore the allegations of a possible political motive for the attempted murder, as well as possible involvement of state agents,” unanimously finding Russia had violated the European Convention on Human Rights.
The anti-corruption campaigner, seen by supporters as a potential political rival of President Vladimir Putin, fell ill while on a flight from Siberia.
He was later evacuated to Germany, where he recovered, but was imprisoned on his return to Moscow and has been behind bars ever since.
The ECHR noted that tests by the German government had shown “definite proof” of the presence of the chemical nerve agent Novichok in Navalny’s system.
The court said the inquiry by Russia was not open to scrutiny, and Navalny had not been allowed to participate.
Russia was ordered to pay Navalny 40,000 euros ($43,000) in damages.
Miroslava Salazar with AFP
