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OPCW fails to identify origin of nerve agent in Skripal case

The OPCW presented its report on the Skripal poisoning case

© EPA-EFE/Bart Maat

MOCOW, April 12. /TASS/. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has confirmed the conclusions of British investigators that Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia had been poisoned in Salisbury by a nerve agent, but failed to establish its origin.

"The results of analysis of biomedical samples conducted by OPCW designated laboratories demonstrate the exposure of the three hospitalised individuals to this toxic chemical," the OPCW said, noting that the chemical "was of high purity."

UK findings

The international chemical watchdog confirmed in its report the United Kingdom’s findings that former Russian military intelligence officer and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with a nerve agent.

"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 12-point report said.

The toxic chemical was of "high purity" and details on its name and structure are in the full classified report of the Secretariat, available to States Parties.

Read also

Russia sends note to OPCW demanding access to results of probe into Skripal case

AP wrote on Twitter that the report does not identify the source.

The Russian Permanent Mission to the organization has received the report, but "it will take some time to study it," a source told TASS.

On March 4, former Russian military intelligence Colonel Sergei Skripal, 66, who had been convicted in Russia of spying for Great Britain and was later swapped for Russian intelligence officers, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were found unconscious on a bench near the Maltings shopping center in Salisbury, the UK. Police said they had allegedly been exposed to a nerve agent.

London immediately accused Russia of being involved, but failed to produce any evidence. British Prime Minister Theresa May rushed to blame Russia for "unlawful use of force" against her country. She identified the alleged substance used in the attack as the so-called Novichok nerve agent, allegedly developed in the former Soviet Union. Russia has flatly rejected these allegations pointing out that neither the Soviet Union nor Russia had any programs to develop that substance.

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Skripal poisoning case

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