Skripal poisoning: Nerve agent inspectors back UK

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YEREVAN, APRIL 12, ARMENPRESS. The international chemical weapons watchdog has confirmed the UK's analysis of the type of nerve agent used in the Russian ex-spy poisoning, BBC reports.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons did not name the nerve agent as Novichok, butsaid it agreed with the UK's findings on its identity.

Russia has denied it was behind the attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, as Theresa May has claimed.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: "There can be no doubt what was used."

He added: "There remains no alternative explanation about who was responsible - only Russia has the means, motive and record."

A team from the OPCW visited the UK on 19 March, 15 days after the Skripals were found slumped on a park bench in Salisbury and taken to hospital, along with a police officer who was among the first on the scene.

Ms Skripal was discharged from hospital on Monday but the 33-year-old has said her father is "still seriously ill".

The OPCW does identify 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"

On 4 March 2018,Sergei Skripal, a former Russian intelligence officer, and his daughter Yulia, visiting him from Moscow, were poisoned with an alleged Russia-made nerve agentinSalisbury, England.As of 13March2018,they remain critically ill atSalisbury District Hospital.The poisoning is being investigated by British authorities asattempted murder.

The United Kingdom believes it is "highly likely" that the Russian government was behind the attack. Russia denies any involvement.

The incident sparked an international diplomatic crisis when many Western countries began expelling Russian diplomats from their countries. Most recently, Russia responded by expelling 60 US diplomats.

English –translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan

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