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Russia on Sunday accused Germany of stalling efforts to probe opposition politician Alexei Navalny’s case after Berlin demanded Moscow present an evidence over his poisoning or face sanctions.
Russian overseas ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused German authorities of failing to reply to a request by Russian prosecutors despatched on August 27.
She spoke after German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas mentioned Russia should quickly present an evidence over Navalny’s poisoning with Novichok, a banned nerve agent developed within the Soviet Union.
“Dear Mr Maas, if the German government is sincere in its statements then it should be interested in preparing a response to a request of the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office as soon as possible,” Zakharova mentioned.
“So far we are not certain that Germany is not playing a double game,” she added. “Where is the ‘urgency’ you are insisting upon?
“By not sending its reply, Berlin is stalling the method of investigation for which it is calling. On function?”
Germany, the current head of the European Union, will discuss possible sanctions on Russia over the poisoning of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top foe if the Kremlin does not provide an explanation soon, Maas said Sunday.
Navalny fell ill on a flight last month and was treated in a Siberian hospital before being evacuated to Berlin.
Germany said last week there was “unequivocal proof” that the Russian opposition leader had been poisoned using Novichok.
“If within the coming days Russia doesn’t assist make clear what occurred, we will likely be compelled to debate a response with our allies,” Maas told German daily Bild.
Any sanctions decided should be “focused”, he added.
Western leaders and many Russians have expressed horror at what Navalny’s allies say is the first known use of chemical weapons against a high-profile opposition leader on Russian soil.
Earlier this week Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia had “nothing to cover” and the Kremlin mentioned Russian medical doctors had discovered no proof Navalny was poisoned.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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