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Russian intelligence 'spied on the Skripals for five years', asserts UK news agency

British press agency Press Association reports Russian intelligence agencies have been spying on former GRU colonel Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia for at least five years

Sergei Skripal seen on a screen of a monitor outside a courtroom in Moscow, 2006 AP Photo/Misha Japaridze

Sergei Skripal seen on a screen of a monitor outside a courtroom in Moscow, 2006

© AP Photo/Misha Japaridze

MOSCOW, April 13. /TASS/. Russian intelligence agencies have been spying on former GRU colonel Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia for at least five years, British press agency Press Association reported on Twitter Friday, citing National Security Adviser Sir Mark Sedwill’s letter to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

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On March 4, Sergei Skripal, who had been convicted in Russia of spying for Great Britain, and his daughter Yulia suffered the effects of an alleged nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury. Claiming that the substance used in the incident had been a nerve agent allegedly developed in Russia, London rushed to accuse Moscow of being involved in the case without presenting any evidence. The Russian side flatly rejected all of the United Kingdom’s accusations, saying that a program aimed at developing such a substance had existed neither in the Soviet Union nor in Russia.

On Wednesday, during the UN Security Council meeting, Russia's UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya noted that Skripal, who had been convicted of spying, served his sentence and was pardoned. Moreover, he "did not pose any threat" to Russia. "However, he is the perfect candidate for the role of a victim that could be used to justify any mind-boggling lies, dirt and smear campaigns hurled at Russia," the envoy to the UN stressed. According to him, when spinning the Skripal saga, British officials "are deliberately seeking to slander Russia by any means necessary.".

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Skripal poisoning case

US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

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UN secretary general calls on international community to prevent escalation in Red Sea

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Press review: Iran fires back at Israel and Russia, West spar over AI rulebook

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Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

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Iran to review nuclear doctrine in case of Israeli aggression — IRGC

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Kremlin condemns 'illegal' seizure of villa from Russian businessman

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EU border checkpoint closest to Russia’s St. Petersburg to cut its working hours

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Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

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Press review: Ukraine, Israel vie for EU’s attention and Georgia passes controversial bill

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 18th

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Russia-China military-technical cooperation not directed against other states — diplomat

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Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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UK imposes sanctions against leading Iranian military figures — Foreign Office

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