Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
The Novichok poisoning in Salisbury unexpectedly thrust a group of strangers into the national spotlight.
Today, a The public inquiry will publish its findings In case of death of a woman Poisoned by Russian nerve agent In July 2018.
A former spy, a Wiltshire Police officer, and a Russian hit squad all Involved in catastrophic events Whatever happened.
Those involved include:
Don Sturgess
Don SturgessThe 44-year-old, who died, was remembered by those close to her as a kind, loving and compassionate mother of three who cared about others even when her own life was challenging.
She lived at John Baker House, support housing for people experiencing homelessness, and had long struggled with alcohol dependence.
But in the months before her death, those who loved her say she was “settled and happy”, optimistic about the future and planning to regain independence.
Her partner, Charlie Rowley, described her as “a very caring, lovely woman – a wonderful woman”.
He remembered her as a devoted mother who “had a lot of time for her daughter and her two sons”, adding: “She had a big heart and would help anyone.”
Ms Sturgess’s mother, Caroline Sturgess, told the public inquiry that her daughter was “intelligent, funny, extremely selfless and a very kind person”.
charlie rollie
charlie rollieThe 52-year-old suffered lifelong health problems after being poisoned with Novichok, which led to him spending more than two months in hospital recovering from the problem.
He has had problems with his vision due to nerve damage to his right eye and problems with the muscles in his legs, causing him to lack balance and have difficulty walking short distances.
Mr Rowley met Ms Sturgess at a charity helping the homeless in Salisbury, and they dated for 16 months.
He regularly took heroin, was prescribed methadone and also took crack cocaine. An ex-girlfriend died of a drug overdose.
The father’s habit of regularly searching through trash bins played a significant role in the unfolding events, as he found a sealed perfume gift box containing Novichok, which he had unknowingly given to his partner.
In his written statement to the inquest in August last year, Mr Rowley said he had little recollection of the events leading up to the poisoning.
He said, “My memory was also impaired due to the daily consumption of large amounts of alcohol, methadone and/or other medications. I currently take no medications.”
sergey skripal
sergey skripal74, was born in Russia and was a paratrooper and later a high-ranking member of the Russian military intelligence service, the GRU.
In 2004 he was convicted of espionage in Russia and jailed for 13 years after allegedly spying for Britain.
In 2010 he was granted presidential pardon and came to Britain in a prisoner exchange and settled in Salisbury, Wiltshire.
During the questioning, Michael Mansfield Casey, representing the Sturges family, described Mr Skripal as “an important asset with a high level of knowledge and intelligence”.
President Vladimir Putin personally referred to the former colonel as “a traitor who abandoned the motherland”.
Julia Skripal
Julia SkripalHer life was thrust into the international spotlight when she visited her father, Sergei.
Ms Skripal, 41, had come to Britain on a two-month leave from Moscow just a day before she was poisoned.
He was born in Russia but spent part of his childhood living in Spain.
After graduating from university, she spent time as a PA before working for companies such as Nike and Pepsi.
Between 2010 and 2015 she lived in the UK with her parents and brother, but returned to Russia after her father’s release from prison.
Her family has been marked by tragedy. His mother Ludmila died of cancer in 2012 and his elder brother Alexander died of liver failure in 2017.
In a statement to the inquiry, Ms Skripal, who speaks English, Spanish and Russian, said: “I can’t imagine why the Russian government would do this, go and kill him, a man who has lived here for eight years and who no longer has any ties to Russia.”
Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey
detective sergeant nick baileyHis life changed forever when he became the first person to enter Sergei Skripal’s home after the Novichok poisoning.
The nerve agent was planted on the doorknob of the former spy’s home in Salisbury, Wiltshire, by agents of Russian intelligence services.
Within hours of leaving Mr. Skripal’s home, the official fell seriously ill.
He spent two weeks in intensive care, during which his wife and two daughters feared he would die.
After three attempts to return to work, Mr Bailey left Wiltshire Police in October 2020 after 18 years.
He said he “could not live in the police environment” after trying to return in September 2018, January 2019 and June 2020.
Russian Hit Squad
The attack on the Skripals is believed to have been carried out by members of the GRU.
Alexander Petrov, 46, and Ruslan Boshirov, 47Those who went together to Salisbury to carry out the attack were assisted by a third agent, Sergei Fedotov, an alias of GRU officer Denis Sergeev.
It is believed that Petrov’s real identity was Alexander Mishkin, a doctor for the GRU. Boshirov’s name was believed to be Anatoly Vladimirovich Chepiga.
British counter-terrorism police believe they were members of GRU Unit 29155, which was “often reported to be involved in operations around the world”.