Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said Moscow is considering delivering samples of chemical weapons allegedly used by rebels in Aleppo to The Hague for examination by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
"Unfortunately, apparently, under strong pressure from our colleagues, the leadership of this technical organization refused to comply with such a request, citing security concerns. We are, as far as I know from colleagues in the Defense Ministry, working on the possibility of delivering collected samples to The Hague and the OPCW," Lavrov said, according to the TASS news agency.
Earlier, experts from the Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have identified samples of chlorine gas and white phosphorus, allegedly used by rebels in southwest Aleppo. The Syrian government, which is supported by Russia, has also been accused of using various chemical weapons against the rebels on several occasions.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.