**Russia Denies Accusations of Poisoning Alexey Navalny with Rare Toxin** As we mark the anniversary of the passing of Alexey Navalny, a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin's administration, the international community remains divided over the circumstances surrounding his death. Navalny, a fierce advocate for democracy and transparency, died under mysterious circumstances while serving a 19-year sentence in a Russian prison colony. His demise has sparked intense debate, with five European countries accusing Russia of using a rare toxin found in dart frogs to silence their most prominent foe. Navalny's untimely death has sent shockwaves across the globe, with many questioning the true cause of his passing. In a joint statement, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden alleged that Navalny was poisoned with epibatidine, a potent toxin capable of causing respiratory failure, seizures, and ultimately, death. This assertion has been met with fierce resistance from the Kremlin, which has vehemently denied these claims, labelling them "biased and baseless". The Russian government maintains that Navalny's death was the result of a pre-existing medical condition, despite the opposition leader's family and supporters contesting this narrative. The use of epibatidine, a toxin that can be synthesised in a laboratory, raises concerns about the government's involvement in Navalny's alleged poisoning. This is not the first time Russia has faced allegations of using toxic substances to silence its critics; Navalny himself survived a suspected poisoning with Novichok nerve agent in 2020. Navalny's death has left a power vacuum in Russia's opposition movement, with his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, struggling to unite the fragmented opposition forces. The designation of Navalny's organisation as "extremist" has created a chilling effect, with many fearful of speaking out against the government. As the world grapples with the implications of Navalny's death, one thing is clear: the Kremlin's response has only served to further erode trust in the government's commitment to transparency and accountability.