What's happened
An inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess, who died from Novichok poisoning in July 2018, has commenced. The inquiry seeks to determine if her death was linked to a failed assassination attempt on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, who survived a similar poisoning earlier that year. The investigation will explore the implications of Russian involvement.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The inquiry into Dawn Sturgess's death has drawn significant attention, with various sources highlighting different aspects. According to The Independent, Sergei Skripal believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin must have authorized the attack on him and his daughter, stating, "Any GRU commander taking a decision like this without Putin’s permission would have been severely punished." This aligns with the inquiry's focus on potential state involvement.
Conversely, The Moscow Times emphasizes the extraordinary circumstances of Sturgess's death, noting that the perfume bottle contained enough Novichok to poison thousands. Inquiry lawyer Andrew O'Connor remarked, "It's no exaggeration to say the circumstances of Dawn Sturgess's death were extraordinary."
The BBC reported that the inquiry will also investigate whether UK authorities took appropriate precautions to protect Skripal, indicating a broader examination of governmental responsibility. This multifaceted coverage illustrates the complexity of the inquiry and its implications for international relations and public safety.
How we got here
Dawn Sturgess died in July 2018 after unwittingly applying Novichok from a discarded perfume bottle. This incident followed the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in March 2018, which the UK government attributed to Russian agents. The inquiry aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding Sturgess's death and potential state involvement.
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