Russia accuses Georgia of spreading Swine Fever, pointing at Tbilisi Lugar lab

Igor Kirillov, who chairs Russia’s radiation, chemical and biological protection force, claimed earlier this week that the African Swine Fever, “causing $100 million damage to Russia”, had spread from Georgia to Russia, Europe and China.

At the Arria formula UN Security Council meeting on April 6,  Kirillov stated that “we can say with high probability that the strain of African Swine Fever with high contagiousness was developed in one of the bio-laboratories subordinated to the Pentagon,” pointing at the US-built Lugar Lab in Tbilisi. 

The lab has been demonized by Russians many times, accusing the US and Georgia of conducting “dangerous trials” there. 

Despite being invited several times, Russia refused to send its representatives to view the lab which is currently fully controlled by the Georgian health ministry and is dubbed as the best in the region. 

Thanks to the lab, Georgia was able to conduct coronavirus tests at the initial stage of spreading the virus.