Did Putin order Russian double agent Sergei Skripal's Novichok poisoning? Former Russian spy claims so

Sergei Skripal, a former Russian double agent, has alleged that President Vladimir Putin is to blame for his Novichok poisoning. During an inquiry into the death of an innocent bystander, Dawn Sturgess, who was exposed to the same nerve agent, he said, "I believe Putin makes all important decisions himself".

The Russian embassy in London previously dismissed the allegations about "the alleged use of the mythical Novichok" as preposterous anddenied Russia's involvement.

Novichok poisoning

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In March 2018, Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury. Soon after Novichok, a highly toxic military-grade poison, was found smeared on his front door handle.

Months later, Sturgess, a mother of three, died after her partner stumbled upon what appeared to be a counterfeit perfume bottle. However, the police believe that the perfume bottle was actually a vessel used by Russian spies to smuggle the deadly toxic substance.

Skripal, who has remained out of the spotlight since the attack in a statement, said,"I believe Putin makes all important decisions himself. I therefore think he must have at least given permission for the attack on Yulia and me." However, he acknowledged that he had no concrete evidence to back the claim.

"I have read that Putin is personally very interested in poison and likes reading books about it," his statement added.

Moscow, however, has consistently denied any involvement and dismissed British allegations as groundless.

During the inquiry, lawyer Cathryn McGahey stated that the British government's view aligned with Skripal's — that Russian agents carried out the operation with Putin's consent.

Meanwhile, Adam Straw, the lawyer representing Sturgess's family, called on Putin to take responsibility.

"He should not cower behind the walls of the Kremlin. He should look Dawn’s family in the eyes and answer the evidence against him," Straw stated.

The 2018 poisoning

The poisoning, which left Skripal, Yulia, and a responding officer critically ill but eventually recovering, sparked a diplomatic crisis and led to the biggest expulsion of Russian diplomats since the Cold War, reports Reuters.

British police have charged three Russian nationals, believed to be GRU military intelligence officers, for the attempted murder of Skripal and his daughter. Two of the suspects later appeared on Russian television, claiming they were mere tourists visiting Salisbury's cathedral.

While no one has been charged for Sturgess's death, the inquiry heard that the discarded perfume bottle, which was thoughtlessly thrown away, contained enough poison to kill thousands.

"You may conclude ... that those who discarded the bottle in this way acted with a grotesque disregard for human life," said Andrew O’Connor, the inquiry's lawyer.

(With inputs from agencies)