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Statement by the Federal Foreign Office on the OPCW report on the Skripal case
A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson issued the following statement today (12 April) on the report by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on the Skripal case:
On 11 April, the OPCW presented its report on the findings of an independent analysis of the substance used in the Skripal case to the UK. The report confirms the findings of the UK’s analysis. At the UK’s request, the OPCW has published a summary of the report.
Once again, we would like to expressly welcome the fact that the UK involved the OPCW from the beginning and is working to ensure the highest possible level of transparency. On the basis of its own independent analyses, the OPCW has confirmed the nature of the substance used, which poisoned three people.
Based on the chemical analysis of the substance used, the UK has provided us with detailed information on why it is very probable that Russia was responsible and why there is no plausible alternative explanation. We welcome the fact that a special meeting of the OPCW Executive Council will be convened on 18 April at the UK’s request. Russia is now called on to finally play a constructive role and to answer outstanding questions.
Background information:
The UK requested that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) provide an independent analysis of the chemical substance used in the attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal on 4 March.
A team from the OPCW collected its own environmental and biomedical samples between 21 and 23 March, which it then had analysed in several OPCW designated laboratories.