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Salisbury Novichok poisoning: Two Russian nationals named as suspects Salisbury Novichok poisoning: Two Russian nationals named as suspects
(35 minutes later)
Two Russian nationals have been named as suspects in the attempted murder of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.Two Russian nationals have been named as suspects in the attempted murder of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.
There is "sufficient evidence" to charge Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov over the attack in Salisbury, Scotland Yard and the CPS say.There is "sufficient evidence" to charge Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov over the attack in Salisbury, Scotland Yard and the CPS say.
They are thought to have been using the names as aliases and are about 40.They are thought to have been using the names as aliases and are about 40.
Mr Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were poisoned with nerve agent Novichok in March. Mr Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok in March.
The CPS is not applying to Russia for the extradition of the two men, as Russia does not have extradition agreements with the UK. A European Arrest Warrant has been obtained in case they travel to the EU, however.The CPS is not applying to Russia for the extradition of the two men, as Russia does not have extradition agreements with the UK. A European Arrest Warrant has been obtained in case they travel to the EU, however.
In response, the Russian foreign ministry has said the names and photographs of the men "do not mean anything to Moscow".In response, the Russian foreign ministry has said the names and photographs of the men "do not mean anything to Moscow".
Police are now linking the poisoning to an attack on 30 June, when Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley fell ill at a house in Amesbury, about eight miles from Salisbury. Police are now linking the attack to a separate poisoning on 30 June, when Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley fell ill at a house in Amesbury, about eight miles from Salisbury.
Ms Sturgess died in hospital on 9 July. Mr Rowley was discharged from hospital on 20 July.Ms Sturgess died in hospital on 9 July. Mr Rowley was discharged from hospital on 20 July.
Sue Hemming, CPS director of legal services, said there was enough evidence "to provide a realistic prospect of conviction" and that it was "clearly in the public interest to charge Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov".Sue Hemming, CPS director of legal services, said there was enough evidence "to provide a realistic prospect of conviction" and that it was "clearly in the public interest to charge Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov".
The offences include conspiracy to murder Sergei Skripal; the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal, Yulia Skripal and Nick Bailey; the use and possession of Novichok contrary to the Chemical Weapons Act; and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Yulia Skripal and Nick Bailey.The offences include conspiracy to murder Sergei Skripal; the attempted murder of Sergei Skripal, Yulia Skripal and Nick Bailey; the use and possession of Novichok contrary to the Chemical Weapons Act; and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Yulia Skripal and Nick Bailey.
Det Sgt Nick Bailey also fell ill after responding to the incident in Salisbury.Det Sgt Nick Bailey also fell ill after responding to the incident in Salisbury.
Scotland Yard's Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said on Wednesday he "continues to make good progress but remains off work". Scotland Yard's Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said on Wednesday that Det Sgt Bailey "continues to make good progress but remains off work".
What happens now?
Analysis by BBC News diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus
The decision to name two Russian individuals as suspects in the Skripal case is a significant development - raising the level of evidence on which the British government's charges are based and potentially giving added weight to calls for additional international sanctions against Moscow.
The US, along with a swathe of Britain's allies, expelled a significant number of Russian diplomats (many thought to be intelligence agents) in the wake of the initial evidence that a Russian military grade nerve agent had been used in the Salisbury attack.
Since then, the US administration has brought in some additional measures mandated by Congress - and more are likely to be on the way - even though President Trump himself has not shown great enthusiasm for further pressure on Russia.
Britain will be hoping that other countries may now show more enthusiasm for stepped-up sanctions.
The Metropolitan Police said the two men had arrived at Gatwick Airport from Moscow on 2 March and stayed at the City Stay Hotel in Bow Road, east London.The Metropolitan Police said the two men had arrived at Gatwick Airport from Moscow on 2 March and stayed at the City Stay Hotel in Bow Road, east London.
From there, they travelled to Salisbury on 4 March where Mr Skripal's front door was contaminated with Novichok.From there, they travelled to Salisbury on 4 March where Mr Skripal's front door was contaminated with Novichok.
Officers believe a perfume bottle was used to spray the door. Officers believe a modified perfume bottle was used to spray the door.
There is no risk to other guests staying at the hotel at the time, police said. There is no risk to other guests who were staying at the hotel at the time, police said, but they want to hear from anyone who was a guest there from 4 March to 4 May.
Police said Ms Sturgess and Mr Rowley were later exposed to Novichok after handling a contaminated container, labelled as Nina Ricci Premier Jour perfume.Police said Ms Sturgess and Mr Rowley were later exposed to Novichok after handling a contaminated container, labelled as Nina Ricci Premier Jour perfume.
Mr Rowley has told police he found the box containing the small bottle and an applicator in a charity bin. Mr Rowley has told police he found the box containing the small bottle and an applicator - all later found to be counterfeit - in a charity bin.
He tried to put the two parts together and got some of the contents on himself. His partner Ms Sturgess applied some of the contents to her wrists and became unwell.He tried to put the two parts together and got some of the contents on himself. His partner Ms Sturgess applied some of the contents to her wrists and became unwell.
The bottle, with a modified nozzle, had contained a "significant amount" of Novichok, Scotland Yard said.
Mr Basu said: "We don't yet know where the suspects disposed of the Novichok they used to attack the door, where Dawn and Charlie got the bottle that poisoned them, or if it is the same bottle used in both poisonings."Mr Basu said: "We don't yet know where the suspects disposed of the Novichok they used to attack the door, where Dawn and Charlie got the bottle that poisoned them, or if it is the same bottle used in both poisonings."
But he added that "the manner in which the bottle and packaging has been adapted makes it a perfect cover for smuggling the weapon into the country, and a perfect delivery method for the attack against the Skripal's front door".But he added that "the manner in which the bottle and packaging has been adapted makes it a perfect cover for smuggling the weapon into the country, and a perfect delivery method for the attack against the Skripal's front door".
But Mr Basu confirmed that the two cases were related, saying: "We have now linked the attack on the Skripals and the events in Amesbury which affected Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley. Mr Basu confirmed that the two cases were related, saying: "We have now linked the attack on the Skripals and the events in Amesbury which affected Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley.
"It now forms one investigation. We do not believe Dawn and Charlie were deliberately targeted, but became victims as a result of the recklessness in which such a toxic nerve agent was disposed of.""It now forms one investigation. We do not believe Dawn and Charlie were deliberately targeted, but became victims as a result of the recklessness in which such a toxic nerve agent was disposed of."
Prime Minister Theresa May is due to make a statement in the House of Commons shortly, to update MPs on the Salisbury investigation. The reaction from Russia
BBC Monitoring
Political talk shows on both main Kremlin-controlled national channels interrupted their discussions to mention the news.
As before in Russian media reaction to what they call the "Skripal affair", sarcasm and disbelief at the British government's actions were the dominant themes.
"We are expecting new sanctions, of course - with pleasure," a prominent talk show host said live on air on channel Rossiya 1.
Over on Channel One, a host said even though it has taken Britain "roughly half a year" to name the suspects, sanctions were imposed on Russia long before this.
"Is this how this just world, where everyone loves each other, looks like?" he asked a guest advocating that the Kremlin soften its policy towards the West.