DISINFO: OPCW is a hostage of Western geopolitical interests
SUMMARY
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has been a hostage of Western geopolitical interests in the case of the alleged poisoning of Alexei Navalny. Russia has requested its assistance but has not received any response for the last two months.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative attacking the independence and integrity of the OPCW and a disinformation narrative about the Navalny poisoning.
Clinical findings at the Charité hospital where the Russian opposition leader was transferred after he was poisoned in Omsk indicated that Navalny was poisoned with a chemical nerve agent of the Novichok group.
These findings were later independently corroborated by labs in France and Sweden, and finally confirmed by the OPCW, which stated that
"[t]he biomarkers of the cholinesterase inhibitor found in Mr Navalny’s blood and urine samples have similar structural characteristics to the toxic chemicals belonging to schedules 1.A.14 and 1.A.15."
This is not the first time that pro-Kremlin outlets try to discredit OPCW by using disinformation tactics.
According to the OPCW's Director-General, the organisation has been targeted by a disinformation campaign when it granted new powers to assign blame for chemical attacks. 18 countries issued a joint statement, which called for an end to the unacceptable Russian defamation of the OPCW.
For further relevant stories, especially on how pro-Kremlin media attempted to disinform on OPCW's role in Syria, see here, here and here.