London may freeze Russia’s state assets, to expel 23 diplomats

LONDON, Mar 14 (PRIME) -- London will expel 23 Russian diplomats and may freeze Russia’s state assets as retaliation for poisoning of former officer of the Main Intelligence Directorate Sergei Skripal in the U.K. allegedly carried out by Moscow, British Prime Minister Theresa May told parliament on Wednesday.

“Under the Vienna Convention, the United Kingdom will now expel 23 Russian diplomats who have been identified as undeclared intelligence officers. They have just one week to leave,” she said.

“We will freeze Russian state assets wherever we have the evidence that they may be used to threaten the life or property of U.K. nationals or residents.”

Earlier in March, Skripal and his daughter were found unconscious outside a shopping center in Salisbury. On Monday, May said it was highly likely that Moscow was responsible for the murder attempt using a military-grade nerve agent.

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