Berlin 21 Group: The OPCW’s investigations into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria are unprofessional

Berlin, (ST) – The German “Berlin 21” Group affirmed that the investigations conducted by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, specifically in Douma in April 2018, were biased and much evidence was concealed and manipulated.

In a letter addressed to the Syrian Permanent Mission and representatives of international missions to the OPCW, the group said that it conducted a review of the organization’s investigations into the alleged Douma incident, as it contributed to the preparation of this review by a group of experts who reviewed in detail all the issues related to chemistry, toxicology, shells, witness testimonies and procedural irregularities, which caused serious controversy about the investigations conducted on that incident.

The letter indicated that the scientific evidence was manipulated by the OPCW, specifically by the Investigation and Identification Team, which led to biased conclusions.  It added that all available documents were also reviewed in detail, and it appeared that the conclusion reached in the organization’s investigations came based on clearly flawed analysis.

The letter pointed out that it is important to remember that the alleged Douma attack took place on the 7th of April 2018, and was followed on the 18th of April 2018 by air strikes carried out by the United States, Britain and France on Syria under the pretext of avenging to what happened in Douma, before the OPCW began a period of review of the investigations it conducted.

The letter indicated that there are frantic attempts by Western countries to distort and silence the conclusions. It stressed that it relies on objectivity and transparency in all its reviews and reports.

For his part, Professor Theodore Postol of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States, who participated in the review said: “The reports issued by the OPCW in the alleged Douma incident are unprofessional and were carried out by amateurs. He stressed that the organization did not respect international law.

On the other hand, Catherine Jean, a member of the review team, who previously worked in the “British Intelligence”, affirmed that the organization’s reports bear dangerous aspects, such as lack of transparency, open dialogue, and accountability.

Raghda Sawas