UK Inquiry Finds Putin 'Morally Responsible' for Novichok Poisoning Incident
A comprehensive public inquiry in the UK has found Russian President Vladimir Putin morally responsible
for the death of Dawn Sturgess, an innocent British woman who tragically lost her life in the aftermath of a botched assassination attempt on a former Russian spy in Salisbury, England in March 2018. The inquiry concluded that the assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal, the former spy, must have been authorised by Putin.
Background
In the spring of 2018, former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found unconscious on a public bench in Salisbury after coming into contact with Novichok, a deadly nerve agent, allegedly applied to the front door handle of Skripal's home. Four months later, Dawn Sturgess, a local resident, died after inadvertently spraying herself with the nerve agent which had been smuggled into the UK by Russian agents.
Key Developments
Lord Hughes of Ombersley, the chair of the inquiry, described the assassination attempt as astonishingly reckless
, noting that the overwhelming
evidence points to the Russian state's involvement in the attack. His findings were echoed by a range of international news outlets including The Guardian, Sky News World, and South China Morning Post.
The New York Times further reported that the inquiry concluded the botched assassination attempt was authorised at the highest level. However, TASS, a Russian news agency, focused on the need for further investigation into the Skripal incident rather than directly addressing the allegations against Putin.
Implications and Reactions
The incident has led to a significant strain in UK-Russia relations, with the UK holding Russia accountable for the reckless act. The inquiry's conclusions may further exacerbate these tensions.
The family of Dawn Sturgess expressed relief and satisfaction with the inquiry's findings. Her father, Stan Sturgess, told The Guardian that he was pleased the inquiry had exonerated his daughter, but expressed concerns that lessons must be learned to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
Meanwhile, La Repubblica reported that the inquiry also criticised MI5, the UK's internal secret service, for failing to adequately protect Skripal.
Conclusion
Despite the comprehensive inquiry and its damning findings, Moscow continues to deny any involvement in the incident. The inquiry's conclusions mark a significant development in this ongoing international incident, bringing to light the alleged role of Putin and the Russian state in the tragic death of Dawn Sturgess and the attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal. However, this is unlikely to be the final chapter in this complex and tragic story.