Vladimir Putin has been deemed “morally accountable” for the death of a mother of three who was poisoned by Novichok, a lethal nerve agent left on British streets by Russian operatives, according to findings from an inquiry into the incident.
The victim, Dawn Sturgess, tragically passed away after unknowingly spraying herself with the deadly substance, mistaking it for perfume in July 2018. The inquiry also highlighted the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, who were targeted with Novichok on their front door knob four months prior.
The inquiry chairman, Lord Hughes of Ombersley, emphasized the overwhelming evidence pointing to a Russian state-led assassination attempt, showcasing a display of power both locally and internationally. Consequently, the UK government has imposed significant sanctions against Russia, including the complete sanctioning of the Russian military intelligence agency GRU.
Lord Hughes attributed the authorization of the operation targeting Sergei Skripal to President Putin himself, holding all involved individuals responsible for Dawn Sturgess’ tragic death. The inquiry, held at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London, extensively analyzed evidence over a seven-week period, including the involvement of three Russian GRU agents in the attack.
The report dismissed the notion that the attack on Skripal could have been a personal initiative by the GRU officers, stressing that such an operation would require high-level authorization, likely from the Russian President. Lord Hughes condemned the recklessness displayed by Russian agents in the deployment of Novichok, posing significant risks to innocent bystanders and emergency responders.
The inquiry also cleared British authorities of blame in preventing the attack on Skripal, noting that security measures would not have thwarted a sophisticated nerve agent assault. Lord Hughes acknowledged the appropriate medical care provided to the victims and praised the efforts of paramedics and doctors in treating them.
In a closing statement, Lord Hughes expressed condolences to Dawn Sturgess’ family, emphasizing her innocence in the tragic events orchestrated by Russian operatives. The family raised concerns over the lack of recommendations in the inquiry report, questioning the adequacy of security measures and risk assessments in protecting individuals like Skripal.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, following the imposition of sanctions, condemned President Putin and the GRU for their role in the heinous act, emphasizing the need to combat hostile Russian activities threatening British citizens and national security.