.’ Mr Kirby added: ‘It is tragic but true that the near fatal poisoning of Mr Navalny with nerve agents had all the hallmarks of the actions of the Russian security apparatus dating back to Soviet days. By returning home to Russia, at obvious personal risk, Mr Navalny has valiantly advanced the day when the Russian Federation will ultimately fulfil its right to become a modern, functioning democratic state, with a law-abiding government and a vigilant opposition that both observe universal human rights and the rule of law.’ Mr Navalny was arrested on arrival at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport, on Sunday 17 January 2021, after disembarking from a flight from Germany. It was the first time he had returned to Russia since a suspected poisoning by Russian security forces in August 2020.