London: The UK government has confiscated the assets of seven Russian nationals, including members of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) linked to the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and banned their travel. Navalny, a staunch critic of President Vladimir Putin, was in critical condition last year after being attacked by banned nerve agent Novichok.
Britain’s Office of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development (FCDO) said Britain was acting with the US under its autonomous chemical weapons sanctions regime.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “Since the horrific attack on Alexei Navalny a year ago, Britain has been at the forefront of the international response to this horrific act.”
“Through our Chemical Weapons Prohibition Rules and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, we are sending a clear message that any use of chemical weapons by Russia violates international law and that there should be a transparent criminal investigation into this matter. “
