Independent publication in Russian language The agency announced on Tuesday on the alleged attempted poisoning of John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center in Washington and former US ambassador to Ukraine.
Citing multiple unnamed sources, the Agency reported that Herbst was one of at least four people who had exhibited symptoms similar to poisoning in the past two years, or had their home entered by strangers, most likely associated with Russian special services.
In addition, the publication named the name of another alleged victim of an assassination attempt by Russian special services – according to the publication, the director Free Russia Foundation of Washington In early May, Natalia Arno showed symptoms similar to those of nerve agent poisoning while on a business trip to Prague.
The Atlantic Council has confirmed that in April 2021, John Herbst felt very unwell and exhibited symptoms similar to poisoning. Additionally, an increased level of toxins was detected in his blood. Thanks to timely medical care, the Ambassador has fully recovered. At the same time, doctors could not unambiguously confirm poisoning.
The Atlantic Council has turned over all information about the incident to federal law enforcement. Subsequent lab tests by federal authorities did not confirm the presence of toxic compounds in Herbst’s blood.
“The health and safety of our employees is the top priority,” said the today’s statement Frederick Kempe, President and CEO of the Atlantic Council. “We contacted authorities immediately upon learning of Ambassador Herbst’s illness, but after receiving test results we have decided not to make the incident public.”
In addition to Natalia Arno, who told Agency reporters about the symptoms she experienced in Prague, including body numbness and various pains. According to her, shortly before, the head of the Free Russia Foundation, declared undesirable in Russia, discovered that the door of her hotel room in Prague was open.
Arnaud suspects she was poisoned, possibly with a nerve agent. According to her, this incident is currently being investigated by several “Western intelligence agencies”.
A Russian journalist, whose name is not disclosed in the document, also informed the Agency of the symptoms of poisoning. This incident also took place in Berlin, where consultations with the Russian opposition were held at the beginning of May, organized on the initiative of Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
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