DISINFO: Scotland Yard recognises that there is no proof of the Kremlin’s role in the Skripals’ poisoning
SUMMARY
Police admitted that don’t have any evidence that the Russian President had played a role in this case. There was a lot of speculation about who was responsible, who gave the orders, all based on expert opinions from Russia. I need some evidence said Scotland Yard’s Deputy Chief Neil Basu.
RESPONSE
The disinformation outlet distorts the message of the publication it refers to. In fact, the Russian President is assessed by UK intelligence agencies as ‘likely’ to have approved the nerve agent attack on the Skripals, as can be read in the article. This is why Scotland Yard is also examining the role of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in the Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury, according to the Guardian. At that, no European Arrest Warrant can be issued so far against Putin, says Scotland Yard Deputy Chief Neil Basu: “You’d have to prove he [Putin] was directly involved. In order to get an EAW, you have to have a case capable of being charged in this country. We haven’t got a case capable of being charged.” Scotland Yard Deputy Chief Neil Basu states that “The whole of the investigation is still a live criminal investigation”. Two Russian intelligence officers “Petrov” and “Boshirov” (believed to be false names) have been charged by Scotland Yard with the attempted murder of the Skripals and murder of Dawn Sturgess. They will be arrested if they travel outside Russia within the European Union, Neil Basu confirmed. The two Russians charged are believed to be part of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency. They were also charged with the use and possession of Novichok, contrary to the Chemical Weapons Act. See more disinformation cases on Skripal case here.