Thread by @FCDOGovUK

1 year ago, Russia used a Novichok chemical weapon on the opposition leader Alexey @Navalny

This was utterly deplorable & a violation of international law

Over the past year, alongside our international partners, we've called on Russia to hold a full & transparent investigation

We have been working closely with international partners - including the EU and USA - to hold Russia to account.

Russia have failed to uphold their Chemical Weapons and Human rights obligations.

In October last year, we stood alongside our partners and stated that there is no plausible explanation for Navalny’s poisoning, other than Russian involvement and responsibility.

We enforced asset freezes and travel bans, on those responsible for the Novichok poisoning

In January 2021, Navalny returned to Russia but was immediately detained.

By targeting the victim of a poisoning rather than those responsible, Russia showed they were failing to meet the most basic commitments expected of any responsible member of the international community.

The UK & our partners have repeatedly called on Russia to conduct a full & transparent criminal investigation into Navalny's poisoning

Russia continues to ignore these calls & has failed to provide a plausible explanation as to how a chemical weapon was used on Russian territory