The shocking 2018 Novichok poisonings in Salisbury, UK, sent ripples of fear and condemnation across the globe. What started as an assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal, a former Russian spy, and his daughter Yulia, eventually claimed the life of Dawn Sturgess, an innocent bystander. Now, years later, an inquiry into the events surrounding the poisonings has officially opened in Salisbury Guildhall.
Sergei Skripal, a former agent of Russia’s GRU (military intelligence), and his daughter were the initial targets of the attack. Despite surviving the ordeal, the scars of the assassination attempt linger, not only for the Skripals but also for the Sturgess family, whose lives were forever altered by the careless disposal of the nerve agent.
A Blame Directed Toward Putin
Sergei Skripal, in a prepared statement read at the inquiry, did not mince words when pointing the finger at Russian President Vladimir Putin. Skripal, who had been living a seemingly peaceful life in the UK after being part of a prisoner exchange in 2010, expressed his disbelief at the audacity of the Russian government to target him in Britain. He shared that although he never expected to be hunted down in the UK, he wasn’t surprised by the Russian state’s actions once it decided to kill someone.
Skripal believes that Putin himself must have given the go-ahead for the assassination attempt, as he explained in his statement: “I believe Putin makes all important decisions himself. Any GRU commander making such a decision without his permission would be severely punished.” However, Skripal also clarified that he had no concrete evidence to support his accusations, drawing instead on his years of experience and knowledge of the Russian regime.
The Deadly Discovery
The military-grade poison, known as Novichok, was discarded in a perfume bottle and later found by Dawn Sturgess’s partner, Charlie Rowley. Mistaking it for perfume, Sturgess sprayed the toxic substance on her body, leading to her tragic death just months after the failed assassination attempt on the Skripals.
The inquiry heard today how this poison, which could kill thousands of people, was left carelessly in a public space, posing a risk to anyone who might come across it. Andrew O’Connor KC, lead counsel to the inquiry, described the actions of the GRU agents responsible as showing “grotesque disregard for human life.”
A Life Unjustly Taken
Dawn Sturgess was a mother of three, leading a life far removed from international espionage or political conflicts. Her tragic death is a stark reminder of the indiscriminate nature of such reckless actions. The inquiry aims to delve deeper into the circumstances that led to her death and whether the UK authorities could have done more to prevent the poisoning and protect the public.
Police believe the two GRU agents, using the aliases Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, were responsible for the attack. They later gave a widely ridiculed interview to Russian state media, claiming they were in Salisbury to visit the local cathedral. Despite being charged with the attempted murder of the Skripals and the poisoning of two police officers, the agents remain in Russia, shielded from extradition.
The Ongoing Threat
The Skripals, who survived the attack, remain under strict police protection. Both Sergei and Yulia Skripal have been excused from attending the inquiry in person due to concerns over their safety. The inquiry was told that revealing any more information about their whereabouts or showing police interviews with them could risk their identification and make them targets once again.
Lord Hughes, the chairman of the inquiry, emphasized the serious risk of another assassination attempt on the Skripals. Even allowing them to give evidence remotely was deemed too dangerous, as it could compromise their security arrangements.
Russia’s Continued Denial
Russia has consistently denied any involvement in the Novichok poisonings, even as international investigators have pieced together compelling evidence linking the attack to the Russian state. The inquiry will not only seek to uncover the full extent of the Russian government’s role but will also explore whether the UK authorities acted swiftly and effectively to protect those affected.
Former Prime Minister Theresa May, who was in power at the time of the poisonings, recently acknowledged the harsh reality that justice might never be fully served. Given Russia’s refusal to extradite its citizens, the GRU agents charged in connection with the attack are unlikely to ever face trial in the UK.
A Long Road to Justice
As the inquiry continues, families and victims like Dawn Sturgess’s loved ones are left grappling with the aftermath of an international political conflict that claimed the life of an innocent woman. The inquiry will spend the next week in Salisbury before moving to London, with final reports expected sometime next year.
For now, the search for justice continues, with many questions still left unanswered, and the specter of future attacks remains a chilling possibility for those who have been targeted by the Russian state.
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