Russia claims US running biological weapons lab in Georgia

Russia's Defence Ministry says the United States appears to be running a clandestine biological weapons lab in the country of Georgia, allegedly flouting international rules and posing a direct security threat to Russia.

The exceptional accusations made Thursday came the same day British and Dutch officials accused Russian military intelligence of new cyber attacks.

The Defence Ministry alleged in a statement that the lab in Georgia is part of a network of US labs near the borders of Russia and China.

The statement was based largely on materials from former Georgian State Security Minister Igor Giorgadze.

He says the Georgian lab is run out of the US-funded Lugar Center for Public Health Research.

US and Georgian officials rejected Giorgadze's claims last month.

The US Embassy in Georgia did not immediately comment Thursday.

(With inputs from agencies.)