LONDON — The U.K. and U.S. slapped sanctions on seven Russian nationals accused of poisoning opposition leader Alexei Navalny with a novichok nerve agent.
The seven agents linked to the attack exactly a year ago have had their assets frozen and are subject to travel bans under the U.K. chemical weapons sanctions regime.
“Since the horrific poisoning of Alexei Navalny took place a year ago, the U.K. has been at the forefront of the international response against this appalling act,†Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.
He added that the sanctions send a “clear message that any use of chemical weapons by the Russian state violates international law, and a transparent criminal investigation must be held.â€
Britain has already sanctioned six individuals held responsible for masterminding the attack.
Navalny fell ill on a flight to Moscow after being exposed to the nerve agent and was subsequently treated in Germany. On his return to Russia he was arrested and jailed on embezzlement charges.
