Sentry Dies at Russian Chemical Weapons Plant, Poisoning Ruled Out

Text of report by Russian news agency RIA Novosti

Kirov, 31 January: An investigation has been launched into the death of a serviceman belonging to a regiment guarding the Maradykovskiy [Maradykovo] plant for the destruction of chemical weapons in Kirov Region. The conscript was found dead on the morning of 28 January, but his death is not linked to poisoning by chemical weapons, the head of the regional directorate for convention [Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction] problems, Mikhail Manin, told RIA-Novosti on Wednesday [31 January].

“Servicemen of the guard regiment are not involved in the practical process of destroying toxic substances,” he stressed.

From the preliminary results of forensic tests and the autopsy it has been established that the serviceman did not come into contact with toxic substances.

“Neither did the body show any signs of physical injury which might suggest a violent death. So, the possibility of bullying is also not being considered,” Manin said.

Manin said staff of the military prosecutor’s office at the Kirov garrison are trying to establish the causes of the soldier’s death. An investigation is under way.

“The destruction of chemical weapons at the Maradykovskiy facility has not been stopped. It is continuing as normal. Pollution limits and environmental standards set for this particular installation have not been breached,” Manin added.

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