Desperate Russia accuses Britain of ‘dirty tricks’ after CCTV revealed Russian spooks were behind Novichok attack
RUSSIA tonight accused Britain of doctoring pictures of two Novichok suspects walking through Gatwick.
CCTV pictures show Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov in the airport just days before ex-KGB colonel Sergei Skripal was poisoned with the nerve agent - but the images are both timed at 16:22:43.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zhakarova said: "Either the date and the exact time were overlaid on the image, or the staff of the Russian GRU learned to walk simultaneously - but their images are captured in two different photographs."
The pictures - released by the Metropolitan Police today - were widely mocked on Russian social media.
One user said: "Yes, the corridors (at Gatwick Airport) are different. These are corridors at border control.
"But what an amazing synchronization of the GRU's staff."
Another added: "Don't worry it happens - people will swallow such 'evidence.'"
Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the Russian parliament’s international relations committee, described the claim as “absolute nonsense”.
He raged: "Britain is continuing a large-scale anti-Russian provocation. It is announced that they allegedly are GRU officers.
"This is an absolute nonsense.
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"Any family names could have been made up and any photos could have been provided with the same result.
"Once again there is no real evidence of Russia's involvement, only ungrounded accusations.
"Just like there is no reply to Russia's multiple inquiries about providing information on the course of investigation.
"But that doesn't stop the UK's PM who demands more sanctions against Russia.”
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