Lavrov: the Skripals were poisoned by military nerve agent used by NATO

According to a Swiss research center that analyzed samples of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) from Salisbury, the BZ agent used in NATO countries was applied to poison Russian former intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the 26^th Assembly of the Council of Foreign and Defense Policy.

According to the minister, the information was given on conditions of confidentiality. “On March 27, experts of the Institute completed their study of the samples collected on the site of the incident in Salisbury, in line with OPCW, and sent to them by the OPCW,” he continued.

Lavrov cited the conclusion sent from the Swiss laboratory to the OPCW (as translated by the Russian foreign ministry): “Following our analysis, the samples indicate traces of the toxic chemical BZ and its precursor which are second category chemical weapons. BZ is a nerve toxic agent, which temporarily disables a person. The psycho toxic effect is achieved within 30 to 60 minutes after its use and lasts for up to four days. This composition was in operational service in the armies of the US, the UK and other NATO countries. The Soviet Union and Russia neither designed nor stored such chemical agents.”

To remind, on Thursday, the OPCW published its report on investigation of the Skripal case. The experts “confirm the findings of the United Kingdom relating to the identity of the toxic chemical,” but did not call it. Meanwhile, they failed to determine the exact source of the agent. At the same time, UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson preferred to state that the OPCW report is another proof of Russia’s involvement in the poisoning.