New look into case of defector targeted twice in New Zealand

NEW Zealand police are looking at reopening their investigation into the poisoning of Russian defector Boris Karpichkov.

The move follows our exclusive revelations last week that the former KGB spy was targeted twice by Russian hit squads on a 15-month stay in New Zealand in 2006-7.

PM Jacinda Ardern wants to know if Vladimir Putin’s assassination squads have been operating in Auckland. And Karpichkov has offered to return to New Zealand to help with the investigation. Police there said: “We are currently examining our files to assess what information we may hold about Mr Karpichkov.” Karpichkov, 59, says he was warned by MI5 in 2006 that his life was in danger.