Russian foreign ministry accuses Germany of stalling Alexei Navalny's probe

Russia on Sunday accused Germany of stalling efforts to probe opposition politician Alexei Navalny's case after Berlin demanded Moscow provide an explanation over his poisoning or face sanctions.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused German authorities of failing to respond to a request by Russian prosecutors sent on August 27. She spoke after German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Russia must soon provide an explanation over Navalny's poisoning with Novichok, a banned nerve agent developed in the Soviet Union.

"Dear Mr Maas, if the German government is sincere in its statements then it should be interested in preparing a