Germany expels four Russia diplomats over ex-spy poisoning

BERLIN, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Germany announced Monday that it will expel four Russian diplomats over the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain.

According to a statement by the German Foreign Ministry, the German government has decided in close consultation within EU and NATO allies to ask four Russian diplomats to leave Germany within seven days.

"Russia has so far failed to respond adequately to the British call to help clarify the case," according to the statement, saying that the expulsion of four Russian diplomats is a strong signal of solidarity with Britain.

"The attack in Salisbury shook us all in the EU. For the first time since the end of the Second World War, a chemical warfare agent was used in the middle of Europe," said Germen Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

But Maas said the door for dialogue with Russia remains open.

Sergei Skripal, 66, a former Russian intelligence officer, and his 33-year-old daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a bench at a shopping center in Salisbury earlier this month.

They remain in critical condition after exposure to a nerve agent, which, according to the British authorities, could have originated from Russia.

Moscow has denied any involvement in the incident and insisted on participating in direct investigation into the case. Enditem