The British woman Dawn Sturgess died after using a discarded bottle of Novichok, a Soviet-era nerve agent, which she thought was perfume. This incident occurred following a failed poison attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, which the UK government believed was likely authorized by the Kremlin. Sturgess’s death and the Skripal poisoning are believed to be connected, with the perfume bottle containing enough Novichok to potentially harm thousands of people. The UK authorities suspect Russian security service officers, possibly members of the GRU Russian intelligence agency, were behind the attacks.
The attempt to kill Skripal strained relations between the UK and Russia even further, with accusations against Russian President Vladimir Putin for ordering the attack. However, concrete evidence to support these claims remains elusive. The Sturgess inquiry aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the Novichok attacks, with closed sessions to investigate private material and intelligence related to the case. The family of Sturgess, who will give evidence during the inquiry, are particularly concerned about the UK government’s response and protective measures taken for the Skripals and the public.
International arrest warrants have been issued for the suspects involved in the Novichok attacks, but former Prime Minister Theresa May has warned that justice may be unlikely. The incident led to a significant deterioration in diplomatic ties between Western powers and Russia, with the largest-ever expulsion of diplomats and limited sanctions imposed. However, these actions have been overshadowed by the current response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Despite efforts to uncover the truth behind Sturgess’s death and the Skripal poisoning, closure for those affected may only come with justice, which remains uncertain.
The inquiry into Sturgess’s death seeks to uncover the truth behind the Novichok attacks and the potential involvement of Russian intelligence officers. The British government believes that the attacks were part of an illegal international assassination attempt, placing Sturgess as an innocent victim caught up in a larger geopolitical conflict. The testimony of those involved, including Skripal, sheds light on the possible motivations behind the attacks and the role of Putin in authorizing them.
The use of Novichok, a deadly nerve agent, in the attacks underscores the severity of the situation and the need for accountability and justice. Sturgess’s family, who will provide evidence during the inquiry, are seeking answers about the UK government’s response and protective measures taken to prevent collateral damage. The ongoing tensions between the UK and Russia, exacerbated by these attacks, highlight the complex dynamics of international relations and the challenges of holding perpetrators accountable in the absence of concrete evidence. As the inquiry progresses, a clearer picture may emerge of the events leading to Sturgess’s death and the implications for future diplomatic relations.
