There is no doubt, Scripals were poisoned by the order of Moscow

(The UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan Dr Carole Crofts replies to the questions of Turan news agency concerning Skripals` case).

Question: Incident with Sergey and Yuliya Skripal was estimated by London as attack on UK. After that Moscow said that accusations are baseless. Can you tell about latest evidences that prove involvement of Russia to this attack?

Answer: It is highly likely that Russia carried out this assassination. In the UK we use the phrase "highly likely" because under the British system only a court can finally determine culpability. So the use of the phrase "highly likely" is a reflection on the judicial process and should not be construed as casting any doubt whatsoever on the likelihood of Russia being responsible. The British Government came to that conclusion because the positive identification by experts at Porton Down of the specific chemical used is a type of Novichok nerve agent. Porton Down, is an accredited laboratory under, and it conforms to, the Chemical Weapons Convention. It is allowed to conduct protective research. The second reason that helped us come to our conclusion was the knowledge that Russia has produced this nerve agent within the last 10 years and remains capable of doing so and as the Prime Minister made clear within the British Parliament we know that the Russian state has investigated ways of assassination through the use of nerve agent. The third reason is Russia's record of conducting state-sponsored assassinations. And we also made our own assessment that Russia views defectors as suitable targets for assassination and indeed there are public statements from Russian leaders to that effect.

So, in short, Porton Down are sure the nerve agent was a Novichok. The UK Government, based on that information, additional intelligence and the lack of alternative explanation from the Russians, have reached the conclusion we have.

Question: London says Yuliya Skripal feels better. But Up to now they did not represent her to media, why?

Answer: Yulia Skripal is able to communicate. A request for consular access has been received from the Russian consulate. It was conveyed to Yulia Skripal, and awaits her response. This is an obligation under international law that the British Government takes very seriously but there is also the question of Ms Skripal"s own wishes which need to be taken into account.

Question: What can you tell about motivation of Moscow while preparing such an attack of Skripals family ? What about the latest details how it was done?

Do you believe that the order was done by Kremlin or it was some kind of self- activity?

Answer: I know that an investigation is underway, because a military grade nerve agent was used in an attempt to kill civilians on British soil. It was carried out recklessly, and it was carried out without regard for public safety. It was a weapon of mass destruction. A British Police Officer was in a critical condition alongside the Skripals. And ordinary members of the public going about their daily business were put at risk.

The only plausible explanation is that Russia was responsible; the international community shares this assessment. Only Russia has the means, the motive and the record. We identified a Novichok nerve agent. This requires extremely sophisticated methods to create, probably something only in the capabilities of a state actor. We know that Russia has produced it, and investigated methods for delivery. The Russian state treats defectors as legitimate targets for assassination, and has carried out state-sponsored assassinations in the past. -0-