A UK public inquiry has concluded that Vladimir Putin was “morally responsible” for the death of Dawn Sturgess, who was fatally poisoned by the Russian nerve agent Novichok near Salisbury in 2018. The BBC reports that the inquiry found Sturgess’ poisoning was “unsurvivable from a very early stage”.
Sturgess, a 44-year-old mother of three, died after unknowingly spraying herself with a lethal dose of Novichok contained in a discarded perfume bottle. The same military-grade nerve agent had been used months earlier in the attempted assassination of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.
Based on the inquiry, the attack on Sturgess could have been avoided if Skripal had been granted a new identity after his release in a spy swap in 2010. However, it noted that at the time UK authorities had assessed he was not at high risk of assassination.
The report states that Putin, along with everyone involved in the attempt on Skripal’s life, bears moral responsibility for Sturgess’ death. Moscow has consistently denied any involvement in both incidents.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the findings “a grave reminder of the Kremlin’s disregard for innocent lives,” stressing that the government remains committed to holding Russia accountable.
Sturgess’ family said the conclusion allows them to “finally put her to peace”, after years of seeking answers about how she came into contact with the deadly substance.
The BBC notes that further analysis explores whether enhanced security measures for Sergei Skripal might have prevented the poisoning. The broadcaster also highlights its in-depth podcast, Crime Next Door – The Salisbury Poisonings, which examines the broader impact of the attacks.
Image/Source: The BBC
