The publication of German analyzes showing that Russian opponent Alexeï Navalny had been poisoned by a "Novichok-type" nerve agent drew strong condemnations from several countries on Wednesday.
Angela Merkel estimated that Navalny had been "victim of a crime", intended to "silence" him.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday urged Moscow to explain itself after the publication of analyzes in Germany showing that Russian opponent Alexei Navalny had been poisoned by a "Novichok-type" nerve agent.
This nerve agent had already been used against the former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in 2018 in England, according to the British authorities.
The affair sparked a diplomatic crisis between London and Moscow.
Berlin asks Russia for clarification
These are in-depth examinations carried out by a laboratory of the German army on the Russian opponent, hospitalized in Berlin since the end of August, which made it possible to detect the use of this nerve agent.
These tests provided "unequivocal proof of the existence of a neurotoxic chemical agent of the Novichok type", assured the German government.
This highly toxic agent, developed by the Soviets in the 1970s, is most often in the form of a fine powder which can penetrate the pores of the skin or the respiratory tract.
"The fact that the substance has taken a long time to act may indicate that it is a sustained-release formulation of the type commonly used for pharmaceuticals. Again, this indicates that it is not 'this was not an amateur attack,' commented Andrea Sella, professor at University College London.
Berlin, which "condemns this attack in the strongest terms", asked Russia for "urgent" clarifications on this poisoning, according to a government statement.
The results of these tests show that Alexeï Navalny was indeed "victim of a crime", intended to "silence" him, denounced Angela Merkel in a statement to the press.
"Very serious questions are now being asked, which only the Russian government can and must answer," warned the Chancellor, whose country holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union.
For France, "the aggression against Navalny raises serious questions"
The Russian ambassador in Berlin has been "urgently invited" to the German Foreign Ministry, announced the head of German diplomacy, Heiko Maas.
Russia has said it is "ready" to cooperate with Germany.
"I want to condemn in the strongest terms the shocking and irresponsible use of such an agent", declared for his part the head of French diplomacy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, in a statement.
"Considering the political status of Mr. Navalny in Russia, the aggression carried out against him raises strong questions. It is the responsibility of the Russian authorities to answer them", added the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
On Wednesday evening, the UK also called on Russia to "tell the truth".
For its part, the European Union denounced "a despicable and cowardly act" and the White House said it was "very disturbed", speaking of an "absolutely condemnable act".