Russia: Skripals abducted by UK
BRITAIN/RUSSIA: Russia accused Britain yesterday of the ‘‘abduction’’ of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia after she was quietly released from hospital. The Times can reveal, however, that Yulia Skripal turned down an offer of consular assistance from the Russian embassy.
She spent a second night in a secure location, thought to be a well-guarded country house, after her discharge from Salisbury District Hospital on Tuesday.
Sergei Skripal, 66, remains in hospital but is also recovering; a remarkable change after the pair were left in a critical condition five weeks ago after being exposed to a Russian novichok nerve agent. Doctors said he was expected to be released ‘‘in due course’’.
British Prime Minister Theresa May has blamed Russia for the attempted assassination on March 4; the Kremlin has responded with a barrage of alternative theories in an attempt to distort the picture, sow confusion and create doubt.
One of its complaints has been the denial of consular access to Yulia Skripal; something that Alexander Yakovenko, the ambassador, has used to attack the British authorities with. It is understood, however, that Yulia Skripal, 33, is aware she is entitled to have consular assistance but has chosen not to seek it.
Moscow has tried to use its failure to speak directly to the Skripals or be given access to the police investigation into the chemical weapons attack to deflect attention away from allegations of its involvement in the crime. In the latest provocation, the Russian embassy Twitter feed, a prominent mouthpiece for Kremlin messaging, said: ‘‘Secret resettlement of Mr and Ms Skripal, barred from any contact with their family, will be seen as an abduction or at least as their forced isolation.’’
British officials have said it would make no sense for the Russian embassy to be involved in the investigation or be given access to the pair, given the Kremlin’s suspected culpability.
Yulia Skripal is expected to receive further medical care. The long-term effects of exposure to novichok are not well understood.
It was claimed by her cousin, Viktoria Skripal, 45, that she would seek asylum in Britain but this could not be verified. Government sources have previously cautioned that the cousin, who had an application for a visa to travel to Britain rejected, was used as a Kremlin ‘‘pawn’’.
The Sunday Times has reported that MI6 and the CIA have discussed resettling the Skripals in America. Reacting to this suggestion, Viktoria Skripal, who lives in the Russian city of Yaroslavl, said: ‘‘I can’t say whether it’ll be safe for them in Russia or to stay [in Britain] but the least safe place is America.’’
Christine Blanshard, deputy chief executive at the Salisbury hospital, offered new details about the treatment the Skripals have received. ‘‘Our job in treating the patients has been to stabilise them, ensuring that the patients could breathe and that blood could continue to circulate,’’ she said.
‘‘We then needed to use a variety of different drugs to support the patients until they could create more enzymes to replace those affected by the poisoning. We also used specialised decontamination techniques to remove any residual toxins. Both patients have responded exceptionally well to the treatment we’ve been providing. But both patients are at different stages in their recovery.’’
– The Times