Russian diplomats demand to see Yulia Skripal
The Russian embassy in Britain has expressed concern about the conditions where Yulia Skripal is located, Radio Liberty reports.
“The published video only increases our concern over the conditions where she is. It is obvious that she read a prepared text. Additionally, judging by a few aspects of it, the text was a translation from English and was originally written by a native English speaker. This impression is confirmed by handwritten letters signed by Yulia in Russian and English,” the embassy’s statement said.
Russian diplomats added that they respect the confidentiality and security of Yulia Skripal, but this video does not absolve Britain from its obligations.
“British authorities are under obligation to allow us the opportunity to speak with her so that we can be sure she is not being held against her will…right now we have legitimate reasons to suspect otherwise,” the Russian embassy stated.
Earlier, Russian ambassador to Britain, Aleksandr Yakovenko, said the Russia continues to “demand” that the embassy be given access to Sergei and Yulia Skripal.
On March 4, former Russian intelligence agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious in the British city of Salisbury. London said that they were poisoned by the nerve agent Novichok, which was developed in Russia. Moscow denies this.
After several weeks of treatment, Yulia Skripal was released from the hospital on April 10. Her father’s condition also improved, and he was released on May 18.
Experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons confirmed the UK’s conclusions about the chemical composition of the substance that was used to poison the Skripals.
The attempt on the Skripals’ lives led to a serious crisis in relations between Western countries and Russia. About 30 countries announced that they were expelling Russian diplomats, in solidarity with Britain. Russia responded by expelling Western diplomats.