Chemical weapons watchdog back UK findings on nerve agent used in Russian ex-spy poisoning

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has published the unclassified part of its report on the Salisbury incident on 4 March 2018.

“The results of analysis by the OPCW designated laboratories of environmental and biomedical samples collected by the OPCW team confirm the findings of the United Kingdom relating to the identity of the toxic chemical that was used in Salisbury and severely injured three people,” the statement reads.

The OPCW identified the toxic chemical by its complex formula but only in the classified report that has not been made public. In its summary, which has been published online, the report notes the toxic chemical was of ‘high purity’.

There can be no doubt what was used and there remains no alternative explanation about who was responsible – only Russia has the means, motive and record, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office commented on the results.

According to the diplomats, the ‘same conclusive’ results have come from 4 independent, highly reputable laboratories around the world. All returned the same conclusive results.

“In the interest of transparency, and because unlike the Russians we have nothing to hide, we have asked the OPCW to publish the executive summary for all to see and to circulate the full report to all state parties of the OPCW, including Russia,” Foreign Minister Boris Johnson said.

The UK has called a session of the OPCW Executive Council next Wednesday to discuss next steps.

***

On March 4, Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were found unconscious at a shopping mall in the English town of Salisbury. The two were taken to hospital in critical condition. The were reportedly poisoned following exposure to an unknown substance. A bit later, British Prime Minister Theresa May said they had been poisoned with Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent of a type developed by Russia. Novichok might have been smeared hours earlier on the handle of Mr Skripal’s front door at his home on the edge of the city.

The incident caused a number of rows and triggered a diplomatic war between the West and the Kremlin.

• Diplomatic war in full swing: Russia expels diplomats
• Not without reason: Skripal case is Kremlin’s message to USA – Polish expert
• Russia MFA on UK ultimatum in Skripal case: Remember Putin’s words about our weapons

НМ, belsat.eu, photo by Valery Melnikov/RIA Novosti