We’ll punish Russia for new poisoning
Britain’s vow as one victim says Putin is getting away with murder
VICTIM Dawn used ‘perfume’ spray
BRITAIN yesterday vowed to back efforts against Russia over the novichok poisoning of one its most high-profile opposition politicians.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab called on allies to support a probe into the “utterly deplorable” attempted murder of Alexei Navalny.
It came as UK victims of Moscow’s kill squads spoke of their horror over the latest apparent bid by President Vladimir Putin to silence his critics.
Mr Raab and German foreign minister Heiko Maas held talks and agreed to push Russia for an investigation.
Downing Street warned of “severe consequences”, with the EU believed to be preparing new sanctions against Putin’s inner-circle. Mr Raab branded the poisoning
“a violation of international law” and said he and Mr Maas supported a probe into the “attack”.
PM Boris Johnson’s spokesman said the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons will play a key role in investigating the “attempted murder”. Mr Navalny, 44, yesterday remained under armed guard in a coma at a hospital in Berlin, Germany. Dawn Sturgess, 44, of Amesbury, Wilts, died after the 2018 Salisbury attack on ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia.
Dawn had come into contact with a perfume bottle containing the poison.
Her dad Stan said: “As soon as I heard I thought it was novichok. The Russians want everyone to know it’s them.”
He added: “It brings back terrible memories. It’s scary times for anyone who goes against the Russians.”
Dawn’s partner, Charlie Rowley, spent weeks in hospital and still suffers after his contact with the deadly substance.
He said: “When I heard about the other attack, I was in shock.
“I felt devastated the fact that it happened again, I thought it was over but it clearly isn’t. I think it gives the Russians strength that they can carry on with their business and get away with it.
“I feel justice hasn’t been served and I hope this new incident will bring on more news and we will get some truth.”
Mr Navalny, one of Putin’s fiercest critics, was taken ill on a flight on August 20. Doctors in Germany revealed after tests that he had been poisoned with novichok. The two spies suspected of bringing the novichok to Salisbury, Alexander Mishkin and Anatoliy Chepiga, both 41, have been charged in absentia.
The Russians want everyone to know it’s them... It brings back terrible memories
STAN STURGESS WHOSE DAUGHTER WAS POISONED IN SALISBURY