Salisbury Poisoning Incident - Key Points

Introduction

• Russian Military Intelligence Officers named in relation to Salisbury attack
• Charges brought against them for the attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal
• Arrest and extradition possible if suspects travel to a valid EAW country

Background of the Incident

• Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, famous for its cathedral
• Date: Early March 2018
• Victims: Sergei Skripal (ex-GRU officer and MI6 double agent) and his daughter Yulia
• Discovery: Both found unconscious on a city bench

Immediate Response

• Both victims critically ill in hospital
• Police officer also in serious condition
• Skripal previously part of a prisoner swap deal in 2010

Investigation

• Samples sent to Porton Down; confirmed Novichok poisoning
• 250 counter-terrorism officers involved, military assistance provided
• Extensive CCTV footage review and city-wide search

Political and Diplomatic Reactions

• UK Prime Minister and National Security Advisor present case to NATO, EU
• Retaliation seen as part of Russian aggression pattern
• UN Security Council clash between UK and Russian ambassadors
• UK's intelligence successfully persuades allies of Russia's involvement

Global Consequences

• 25 countries expelled 142 Russian diplomats in response
• Historic diplomatic mass expulsion

Aftermath and Recovery

• Sergei and Yulia recover and are moved to a secret location
• Yulia releases a statement asking for privacy

Further Poisonings and Investigation

• Dawn Sturgis and Charlie Rowley found poisoned; contact traced to a discarded perfume bottle
• Sturgis dies, leading to murder investigation
• Police identify the weapon as the perfume bottle

Identification of Suspects

• Two suspects: Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov (aliases)
• Both linked to Russian Military Intelligence (GRU)

Suspects' Timeline and Actions

• Arrival: Gatwick Airport, Aeroflot flight from Moscow
• Reconnaissance trip to Salisbury, coinciding with Yulia’s arrival
• Return to Salisbury to carry out the attack
• Departure: Same day escape to Moscow via Heathrow

Investigation Challenges

• CCTV black holes complicate the investigation
• Need for real identities of the suspects

Broader Implications

• Question of Russian government and President Putin’s involvement
• Long-term global consequences of the assassination attempt
• Justice for the suspects remains unlikely unless extradition occurs