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Russian ambassador says refusal to grant British visa to Viktoria Skripal groundless

On April 6, Britain refused to grant a visa to Viktoria Skripal, who planned to visit her cousin Yulia Skripal after the poisoning incident in Salisbury

LONDON, May 15. /TASS/. Russian ambassador in London Alexander Yakovenko has dismissed as far-fetched Britain’s excuse for its refusal to grant an entry visa to Viktoria Skripal, cousin of Yulia Skripal, who was poisoned in Salisbury on March 4.

"We have no chance of influencing the situation and the chances of Viktoria Skripal to obtain a visa. We regard this as evidence there is no intention to let Yulia Skripal see her relatives," Yakovenko told the media in reply to a question from TASS after a meeting with members of the inter-party group for Russia in the House of Commons.

"British secret services are keen to prevent her contacts with anybody. We have no chance to hear her by telephone or meet in person. As a matter of fact, she is isolated, just as her father," Yakovenko said.

"Should he meet with her cousin, the systematic policy of isolating these people will collapse. Hence the reluctance to grant a visa on a far-fetched pretext. This is a fact of life and part of the policy being conducted by the British government," Yakovenko said.

The British Home Office said on Tuesday it had refused "a visa application from Viktoria Skripal on the grounds that she did not meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules."

No further explanations were provided.

On April 6, Britain refused to grant a visa to Viktoria Skripal, who planned to visit her cousin, Russian citizen Yulia Skripal after the poisoning incident in Salisbury. Viktoria later addressed British Prime Minister Theresa May with a public request for reconsidering the decision. The Russian Foreign Ministry described the refusal to issue a visa as political.