The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source: FOX, Wires
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:41 PM
British Police Say Bench Where Ex-Spy Sergei Skripal, Daughter Found Unconscious Has Been Removed
They said Friday the bench outside the Zizzi restaurant in the southwestern city of Salisbury will be preserved as a potential crime exhibit in the investigation of the attempted murder of the Skripals.
Police say the investigation is one of the largest and most complex ever undertaken by counterterrorism officers. It is expected to take many months.
The Skripals were found unconscious on the bench on March 4 and remain in critical condition.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel won't be drawn on what additional measures European Union nations will take against Russia over the nerve agent attack on a former spy.
Asked whether Germany and France will follow Britain in expelling Russian diplomats, Merkel replied at a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron Friday that the two nations will consult with others on what to do and officials will give more details "when the coordination is complete."
But she said that "we, Germany and France, agreed that such reactions in addition to the recall of the (EU) ambassador are necessary."
The 28-nation EU has recalled its ambassador from Moscow for consultations, and several countries, including Lithuania, Latvia and the Czech Republic, say they are considering expulsions.
European Council President Donald Tusk says EU nations will take "more steps" against Moscow over the nerve agent attack in Britain.
Building on the solidarity shown with Britain during two days of summit talks in Brussels, Tusk confirmed Friday that the 28-nation group will recall its ambassador from Moscow for consultations. And Tusk said "more steps are expected at a national level" as of Monday.
The EU said it was highly likely that Russia was behind the nerve-agent attack on a former Russian spy and his daughter in Salisbury and could see no other plausible explanation for it.
The March 4 attack has left the father and daughter in critical condition.
