Below we publish excerpts from the official forensic examination of Alexei Navalny conducted in the summer of 2024 by the Russian Center for Forensic Medical Examinations of the Russian Ministry of Health.

Alexei Navalny’s family received this document more than a year and a half ago. It has since been carefully studied, including by a number of foreign scientists.

Navalny’s poisoning in prison had previously been confirmed by several foreign laboratories that examined samples of his biological materials taken out of Russia. A specific substance was also identified — epibatidine.

The forensic examination conducted in Russia shows clear signs that the investigation was tailored to support a predetermined conclusion — namely, that Navalny allegedly died of natural causes.

Nevertheless, the document remains an important part of the materials related to the circumstances of Alexei’s death.

With the consent of Navalny’s family, we are publishing the contents of this document, the full list of tests conducted, as well as the conclusions of the forensic chemical examination.

The forensic examination itself is a 289-page document with graphic appendices. Here are the opening pages, which list the members of the expert commission and the questions put before them.

The following 40 pages contain a detailed description of the body and of the biological and other materials submitted for analysis. Also included are excerpts from Navalny’s prison medical records, as well as extracts from medical documents from the period before his imprisonment (for example, from Omsk, where Navalny — after being poisoned with Novichok — was diagnosed with a “carbohydrate metabolism disorder”).

The main section of the document is titled “Special Studies.” It lists the laboratory tests that were carried out. We are publishing the full list in the form of a summary table (compiled by us).

According to experts we consulted, this list is unusually extensive and uncharacteristic for what the Kremlin describes as a “death from natural causes.” Among other things, toxic substances were searched for, including toxins from poisonous plants and fungi. More than 60 samples of internal organs were examined, along with swabs taken from rooms in the penal colony and food samples from 15 and 16 February 2024.

Atropine was found in Navalny’s body (an antidote used in cases of poisoning by cholinomimetic and anticholinesterase substances). In addition to atropine, experts noted the presence of diethyltoluamide (commonly used as an insect repellent) detected in swab samples, though its origin is not explained. We are also publishing the full conclusions of the forensic chemical examination so that anyone can review them.

The final 15 pages of the document contain the overall conclusions and the final statement:

“The cause of death of Navalny A. A. was a combined disease: hypertension with vascular and organ damage, diffuse myocardial cardiosclerosis, complicated by the development of cerebral edema, ventricular fibrillation, and pulmonary edema.”

This conclusion does not correspond to the facts or to the results of independent studies conducted by foreign laboratories, which concluded that Navalny was poisoned.