Con collared in the closet
Salisbury poisoning victim contacts his relatives in Russia
SERGEI Skripal has assured relatives in Russia he is OK, for the first time since he was almost killed by deadly nerve agent novichok.
The spy, 67, is believed to be in hiding with daughter Yulia, who was also poisoned by suspected Moscow assassins in Salisbury, Wilts, in March 2018.
Sergei called niece Viktoria last month to wish her and his mother Yelena well, Russian newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets reported.
He also left a voicemail message for Viktoria, 46, on May 9 wishing her a “happy Victory Day”, marking the end of the Second World War in Europe.
The newspaper said it had a recording of the voicemail message.
Translated from Russian, Sergei says:
“Hi, Vikulya [pet name for Viktoria], it is uncle Seryozha [Sergei]. Tried to reach you, but constantly [it says] ‘the subscriber is not responding’.
“But well... Congratulations to you on the holiday, wish you all the best!
“Wanted to know how are you doing, how is Senka’s [pet name for Arseny, Viktoria’s husband] finger?
“Haha. Well, I’m OK, not only me, Yulka (Yulia) is also good.”
He adds: “All is OK, congratulate SERGEI SKRIPAL VOICEMAIL LEFT FOR HIS RUSSIAN NIECE Yulia Skripal mummy on the holiday, on Victory Day. Will get in touch later.”
Viktoria reportedly “does not doubt that it was her uncle calling”.
She has previously said she believed Sergei was dead and that Britain was hiding it. She said in February: “He has long been cremated, and is in an urn.”
She cited no specific evidence for her claim but she said at the time she was convinced he “is not alive”. Russian authorities have not commented yet on the audiotape.
Russian GRU intelligence agency killers Alexander Petrov, real name Dr Alexander Mishkin, and Ruslan Boshirov, Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga, have been named as prime suspects in the poisonings.
Sergei had been a GRU officer for many years when he was also identified as an MI6 double agent and was jailed in Russia before being handed over to the UK in a spy-swap.
British intelligence claims the GRU tried to assassinate him by leaving traces of deadly nerve agent novichok on his door handle, which led to his and Yulia’s poisoning.
The pair are believed to fear another assassination attempt by Russia. Salisbury after novichok attack A CROOK running from police after allegedly trying to sell £3,000 of stolen war medals and jewels was found in his wardrobe.
Daniel Davidson, 27,of Bridgend, South Wales, got six months’ jail for escaping custody.
His pal Steven White, 44, got 43 months for burglary.
Hi Viktoria, it is uncle Sergei. How are you? I’m OK and Yulia is also good