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Global geopolitical Series: Two Russians named in Skripal Novichok attack by UK prosecutors

On March 4th, Sergei Skripal, a former Russian agent who acted as double agent for the British, and his daughter Yulia were rushed to a hospital after they were found unconscious at a park in Salisbury. It was later reported that the father and daughter had come into contact with an obscure nerve agent. UK government officials said the Skripals were attacked by "Novichok," a powerful Soviet-era chemical nerve agent used by the military. Though the British government did not provide evidence that linked Russia to the crime but was confident from the beginning there could be no other "reasonable explanation" for the attempted assassination since the nerve agent was first manufactured in the former Soviet Union. Great Britain was so convinced of their Russia theory, they rushed in levying sanctions against the country by quickly expelling Russian diplomats from London.  Shortly afterward, UK capital officials reached out to NATO and their European allies who provided immediate support.

Since then hundreds of diplomats have been expelled by UK allies including 60 from the United States in response to the action. The United States has also toughened its sanctions on Russia in response to the use of nerve agent.

Today, UK prosecutors named two Russians; Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, they suspect of poisoning the Skripals and charged them with the attempted murder of the ex-double agent and his daughter along with a police officer. The prosecutor said that the suspects were traveling on authentic Russian passports and had arrived in the UK days before the incident.

Neil Basu, the head of counter-terrorism policing announced that traces of Novichok were found in the hotel room, where the two suspects were staying, who entered London on 2nd March and left on 4th March. However, when asked by reporters if these men were Russian agents, Mr. Basu didn’t answer directly but appealed to the world in identifying them and of their whereabouts.

The prosecutors of the case announced that they have enough evidence to charge these men, however, will not file an extradition request with Russia as Russia’s constitution prevents the extradition of nationals.

 

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