President condemns neurotoxin attack in UK

President Sauli Niinistö on Wednesday said the use of military grade neurotoxins in the March 4 attempted murder in the United Kingdom is a shocking act and a very serious blow to international security.

“Finland condemns the use of toxic chemicals as weapons in all situations and by anyone,” a statement issued by the president’s office quoted Niinistö as saying.

The statement said it is imperative that the case is thoroughly investigated, adding that full clarity of the case must be established and the perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions.

“Russia’s contribution to bringing clarity to the case is needed. Both of the provided alternative explanations of the event, deliberate action on the part of Russia or the possibility that dangerous substances are not under its control, are very worrying,” the statement read.

The president also said that Finland is ready to give all its support and assistance to the Great Britain. “We are working closely with other EU countries and partners,” he said.

The news agency Xinhua adds: Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found slumped unconscious on a bench outside a shopping centre in the southern English city of Salisbury on March 4. They remain in a critical condition.

The British authorities have concluded that the two were poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok. London has demanded Moscow explain why the nerve agent that traces back to Russia should end up in Britain.

Following the incident, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced on Wednesday that her government will expel 23 Russian diplomats from Britain and will freeze Russian state assets “wherever we have the evidence that they may be used to threaten the life or property of UK nationals or residents.”

Britain will also suspend all planned high-level bilateral contacts with Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday denied his country’s involvement in the poisoning incident.