Former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal believes that his Novichok poisoning was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, as revealed in an inquiry into the death of a woman who was inadvertently poisoned by the nerve agent.
Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious in Salisbury in March 2018 after Novichok was applied to their front door handle. The incident also led to the death of Dawn Sturgess, who was exposed to the poison from a counterfeit perfume bottle.
The poisoning resulted in major diplomatic tensions between East and West, with Russia denying any involvement. Skripal, in a statement to the inquiry, blamed Putin for the attack, citing the President’s personal interest in poison and alleged illegal activities.
The British government and Skripal’s lawyers implicated Russian agents carrying out the attack under Putin’s authorization. While three Russians were charged in connection with the Skripal poisoning, no one has been charged for Sturgess’s death.
The public inquiry seeks to uncover the truth behind the poisoning incidents, with confidential evidence to be heard from UK security services. The safety concerns prevent the Skripals from testifying in person, highlighting the seriousness of the case.
The Russian embassy dismissed the accusations as preposterous, emphasizing the need to consider all perspectives in the ongoing inquiry.
© Thomson Reuters 2024.