Chemical weapons: EU sanctions six individuals involved in Navalny’s poisoning and death 13:37 The Council imposed restrictive measures on six Russian individuals involved in[...]

The Council today decided to impose restrictive measures on six Russian individuals involved in the development of chemical weapons, notably epibatidine. This toxin was found in samples taken from Alexei Navalny's body after his death in a Russian penal colony, leading to the conclusion that poisoning with epibatidine was highly likely the cause of his death.

The individuals listed today are scientists and researchers within the military sphere. Some of them have worked for the Signal Scientific Centre (also known as SC Signal), where they researched and published articles on the synthesis of epibatidine, thereby being involved in its development as a chemical weapon. These listings include Igor Babkin, the head of SC Signal's laboratory.

Furthermore, the Council is listing Irina Derevyagina, a chemical research analyst at Russia's State Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology (GosNIIOKhT) that is a central part of the Russian Chemical Weapons programme, and Mikhail Gutsalyuk, the head of the department for organising scientific work and preparing scientific and pedagogical staff at the Military Academy of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence.

EU restrictive measures against the use and proliferation of chemical weapons now apply to a total of 31 individuals and 6 entities.

Those listed under the sanctions regime are subject to an asset freeze and the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, to them or for their benefit is prohibited. Additionally, a travel ban to the EU applies to the natural persons listed.

The EU remains fully committed to countering the proliferation and use of chemical weapons, and to supporting the provisions laid down by the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (CWC).

The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU.

Background

On 22 March 2018, the European Council confirmed that the use of chemical weapons, including the use of any toxic chemicals as weapons under any circumstances, is completely unacceptable, must be systematically and rigorously condemned and constitutes a security threat to us all.

On 15 October 2018, the Council adopted the legal framework for restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons. The restrictive measures applied to the listed persons and entities laid down in this legal framework are currently in force until 16 October 2026.

The EU follows developments in this domain closely and can decide to renew sanctions and amend the list of targeted persons and entities at any time.

• Council Decision amending Decision (CFSP) 2018/1544 concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons
• Council Implementing Regulation implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1542 concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons
• Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/1544 of 15 October 2018 concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons (consolidated text dated 15 0ctober 2025)
• How and when the EU adopts sanctions (background information)
• EU sanctions against Russia (background information)