Toxin used in Salisbury poisoning was not Russian made, Lavrov cites Swiss Lab report

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed on Saturday that the toxin used to poison former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, was BZ toxin, as confirmed by a Swiss laboratory.

"Based on the results of the examination, traces of the toxic chemical BZ and its precursors, related to chemical weapons of the second category in accordance with the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, were found in the samples. BZ is a nerve agent temporarily disabling a person. The effect is achieved within 30-50 minutes and lasts up to four days," said Lavrov.

However, the most intriguing aspect of his claim remains to be the fact that the toxin has been in the possession of the US and the UK and has never been produced in Russia.

Lavrov further questioned the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is investigating the poisoning incident, for not taking into consideration the information about the BZ nerve agent, which, along with Novichok toxin, was not mentioned in the OPCW's final report.

The Swiss laboratory had concluded examining the samples on March 27.

"If, of course, the OPCW refutes the fact of using the laboratory of Spiez, it will be interesting to listen to its explanations," Lavrov added.

The Skripals were found unconscious at a shopping centre in Salisbury on March 4. They were admitted to a hospital soon after, with Yulia having fully recovered and discharged, while her father was declared to be out of danger.

The UK blamed Russia for the poisoning, following which, it expelled 23 Russian diplomatic workers in retaliation. In a display of solidarity, over 25 western nations, including the United States, have ousted Russian diplomats.