Kanaani calls for international probe into US biolabs in Ukraine

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Apr 2023 16:12
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Despite the fact that the US biolabs presence is controversial, Russia confirms that the US has resumed the program for the construction of biological laboratories in Ukraine.

An aerial photo of the Pentagon in Washington D.C., US, in 2019 (Reuters)

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani called on Thursday to launch an international investigation into the reports of the presence of US biological laboratories in Ukraine and other nations.

"Published reports about US military biological laboratories in Ukraine and in some other countries cause serious concern. This activity is contrary to the international obligations of the United States in the issue of the Biological Weapons Convention and poses a threat to humanity. An impartial international investigation is needed," Kanaani tweeted.

خبرهای منتشره در خصوص آزمایشگاه‌های بیولوژیکی نظامی آمریکا در اوکراین و برخی کشورهای جهان عمیقا نگران کننده است.
این فعالیت‌ها برخلاف تعهدات بين‌المللی آمریکا بخصوص کنوانسیون منع تسلیحات بیولوژیک و تهدیدی برای بشریت است.
موضوع نیازمند تحقیق بی‌طرفانه بين‌المللی است.
— Nasser Kanaani (@IRIMFA_SPOX) April 13, 2023

Despite the fact that the US biolabs presence is controversial, Igor Kirillov, head of the radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops of the Russian Armed Forces, revealed last week that the US has resumed the program for the construction of biological laboratories in Ukraine and is expanding the format to train Ukrainian biologists.

"Despite the forced pause pertaining to the Russian special military operation [in Ukraine], [the US’] activities under the program have now been resumed. The main tasks at this stage are to continue the construction of biological laboratories in Ukraine, as well as expand the format for training Ukrainian biologists," Kirillov told reporters.

In June last year, the Pentagon admitted that the US government supported 46 biological research facilities in Ukraine for the past 20 years and that Russia and China were responsible for "spreading disinformation and sowing mistrust" about its efforts to rid the world of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

The Pentagon claimed that these facilities were part of a peaceful public health project and were not focused on developing biological weapons, saying that the US has “worked collaboratively to improve Ukraine’s biological safety, security, and disease surveillance for both human and animal health,”

Six months later in January, Kirillov declared that "Russian troops have secured over 20,000 documents, reference and analytical materials, and interviewed eyewitnesses and participants in American military-biological programs," since the start of the special operation in Ukraine.