PUTIN ENEMY IS ‘STRANGLED’
»»Body found 8 days after spook poison hit »»Russia makes chilling ‘nuclear’ warning to uk
COUNTER-TERROR police are probing the death of a Russian businessman in London who was close friends with Vladimir Putin’s fiercest critic.
Nikolai Glushkov, 68, was reportedly found strangled at his home just eight days after former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned in Salisbury.
It came as the Prime Minister became embroiled in a war of words with Russia about possible action over the Skripals attack. Its Foreign Ministry warned: “One should not threaten a nuclear power.”
Scotland Yard said there was no evidence to link the two incidents, but confirmed counter-terror officers were probing “as a precaution because of associations the man is believed to have had”.
Mr Glushkov is believed to have angered the Kremlin by speaking out on the controversial death of close associate Boris Berezovsky, found hanged in the bathroom of his Berkshire home in 2013. An inquest recorded an open verdict, but dad-oftwo Mr Glushkov said he would “never believe” the billionaire took his own life, amid claims he may have been killed by Moscow.
Mr Glushkov, whose body was found by family and friends on Monday night, spent five years in jail in Russia for money laundering and fraud before being freed in 2004.
He was eventually granted political asylum in the UK and had suffered from heart problems in recent years.
News of his death, in New Malden, South West London, came amid the escalating diplomatic row.
Moscow had until midnight last night to explain how the nerve agent used on Mr Skripal, 66, ended up in the UK.
Theresa May is poised to hit back at President Vladimir Putin after Kremlin officials ignored the demands. Moscow wanted a sample of the substance used, but Britain refused access to it.
Mrs May will today address the Commons and outline Britain’s response after chairing a meeting of the National Security Council. One option being considered is a devastating cyber attack.
But the Russian embassy in
London said: “Any threat to take ‘punitive’ measures will be met with a response. The British side should be aware of that.”
It came as Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made the “nuclear power” comments.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov added claims of Russian involvement in the Skripal assassination bid were “rubbish”.
Meanwhile investigators were probing whether Mr Skripal’s BMW was boobytrapped with nerve agent Novichok.
There were fears a powdered variant was placed in his car’s ventilation system while it was parked on his driveway.
Counter-terror detectives who were in Salisbury last week were seen outside Mr Glushkov’s home last night.
The death of the former deputy director of Aeroflot is being treated as unexplained. Russian newspaper Kommersant reported there were “traces of strangulation on his neck”.
The Irish Government has offered full support to the UK’S efforts to bring those responsible for the Salisbury chemical attack to account.
Tanaiste Simon Coveney said: “Ireland condemns this cowardly attack which has taken place on our neighbour’s soil.”.