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Skripal suspect 'was made Hero of Russia' by President Putin Skripal suspect 'was made Hero of Russia' by President Putin
(35 minutes later)
A Russian man accused of the Salisbury poisoning is a military officer who received an honour from Vladimir Putin, an investigative website has revealed.A Russian man accused of the Salisbury poisoning is a military officer who received an honour from Vladimir Putin, an investigative website has revealed.
Following the attempted poisoning in March, UK investigators identified one of the two suspects as Ruslan Boshirov.Following the attempted poisoning in March, UK investigators identified one of the two suspects as Ruslan Boshirov.
President Putin claimed Boshirov was a civilian, and on Russian TV, he himself said he visited Salisbury as a tourist.President Putin claimed Boshirov was a civilian, and on Russian TV, he himself said he visited Salisbury as a tourist.
But the website Bellingcat says he is actually an intelligence officer by the name of Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga.But the website Bellingcat says he is actually an intelligence officer by the name of Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga.
He has served in Chechnya and Ukraine was made a "Hero of the Russian Federation" in 2014.
British officials have not commented, but the BBC understands there is no dispute over the identification.British officials have not commented, but the BBC understands there is no dispute over the identification.
Chepiga has served in Chechnya and Ukraine was made a "Hero of the Russian Federation" in 2014. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the new claims, saying there was no evidence.
It is thought he travelled to the UK on a false passport, along with another Russian national who used the name Alexander Petrov.
Ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal - who sold secrets to MI6 - and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with Novichok on 4 March.Ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal - who sold secrets to MI6 - and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with Novichok on 4 March.
Both Mr Skripal and his daughter survived, but Dawn Sturgess - a local woman not connected to the original attack - died in July after being exposed to the same substance.Both Mr Skripal and his daughter survived, but Dawn Sturgess - a local woman not connected to the original attack - died in July after being exposed to the same substance.
It is thought Chepiga travelled to the UK on a false passport, along with another Russian national who used the name Alexander Petrov.
Who is Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga?Who is Colonel Anatoliy Chepiga?
The 39-year-old trained at one of Russia's elite academies and served with a special forces unit under the command of the GRU - Russia's military intelligence service.The 39-year-old trained at one of Russia's elite academies and served with a special forces unit under the command of the GRU - Russia's military intelligence service.
He earned more than 20 military awards for his service.He earned more than 20 military awards for his service.
He is believed to have transferred to Moscow around 2009, where he was given a false identity as Ruslan Boshirov. He has been working undercover for the past nine years.He is believed to have transferred to Moscow around 2009, where he was given a false identity as Ruslan Boshirov. He has been working undercover for the past nine years.
In December 2014, he was made a Hero of the Russian Federation. The medal, awarded in a secret ceremony, is typically handed out by the Russian president.In December 2014, he was made a Hero of the Russian Federation. The medal, awarded in a secret ceremony, is typically handed out by the Russian president.
It is only given to a handful of people each year. The timing suggests it was for operations in Ukraine.It is only given to a handful of people each year. The timing suggests it was for operations in Ukraine.
He and Petrov flew in to Gatwick Airport from Moscow on 2 March 2018 and visited Salisbury on two consecutive days, including 4 March, the day of the poisoning.He and Petrov flew in to Gatwick Airport from Moscow on 2 March 2018 and visited Salisbury on two consecutive days, including 4 March, the day of the poisoning.
Both men returned to Moscow on the same day. European arrest warrants and Interpol red notices have subsequently been issued for the pair.Both men returned to Moscow on the same day. European arrest warrants and Interpol red notices have subsequently been issued for the pair.
Russia does not extradite its own nationals.
What is Chepiga accused of?What is Chepiga accused of?
Sergei Skripal, 67, and his daughter Yulia were poisoned by a nerve agent in Salisbury, where he lived. The attack was approved by the Russian state, according to the UK government.Sergei Skripal, 67, and his daughter Yulia were poisoned by a nerve agent in Salisbury, where he lived. The attack was approved by the Russian state, according to the UK government.
The Skripals spent several weeks in hospital, but recovered.The Skripals spent several weeks in hospital, but recovered.
The event sparked a series of accusations and denials between the UK and Russian governments, culminating in diplomatic expulsions and international sanctions.The event sparked a series of accusations and denials between the UK and Russian governments, culminating in diplomatic expulsions and international sanctions.
Police linked the attack to another poisoning in nearby Amesbury in June, in which Dawn Sturgess and her partner Charlie Rowley were exposed to Novichok after handling a contaminated perfume dispenser.Police linked the attack to another poisoning in nearby Amesbury in June, in which Dawn Sturgess and her partner Charlie Rowley were exposed to Novichok after handling a contaminated perfume dispenser.
Ms Sturgess later died.Ms Sturgess later died.
What does he say? What does Chepiga say?
When UK police identified Ruslan Boshirov and Alexander Petrov, Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted the pair were innocent civilians.When UK police identified Ruslan Boshirov and Alexander Petrov, Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted the pair were innocent civilians.
A day later, on 13 September, the pair appeared on Russian TV and claimed they were simply tourists, visiting Salisbury to see its "famous cathedral and its 123m spire".A day later, on 13 September, the pair appeared on Russian TV and claimed they were simply tourists, visiting Salisbury to see its "famous cathedral and its 123m spire".
Mr Boshirov - or Colonel Chepiga - said he and Mr Petrov were in the sports nutrition business, but were travelling for pleasure. Boshirov - or Colonel Chepiga - said he and Mr Petrov were in the sports nutrition business, but were travelling for pleasure.
They emphatically denied carrying any Novichok, or the modified Nina Ricci perfume bottle which UK investigators say contained the substance.They emphatically denied carrying any Novichok, or the modified Nina Ricci perfume bottle which UK investigators say contained the substance.
The two men told Russia's state-run broadcaster that their lives had been "turned upside down" by the allegations.The two men told Russia's state-run broadcaster that their lives had been "turned upside down" by the allegations.
"We're afraid to go out, we fear for ourselves, our lives and lives of our loved ones," Boshirov said, when interviewed. "We're afraid to go out, we fear for ourselves, our lives and lives of our loved ones," Boshirov said.
Downing Street called the content of the interview "deeply offensive to the victims and loved ones of this horrific attack".Downing Street called the content of the interview "deeply offensive to the victims and loved ones of this horrific attack".
What has Theresa May said?What has Theresa May said?
Addressing world leaders at the United Nations on Wednesday, Theresa May criticised Russia for its "desperate fabrication" over the Salisbury spy poisoning.Addressing world leaders at the United Nations on Wednesday, Theresa May criticised Russia for its "desperate fabrication" over the Salisbury spy poisoning.
The prime minister accused Russia of "flagrantly breach[ing] international norms" citing "the reckless use of chemical weapons on the streets of Britain by agents of the Russian GRU".The prime minister accused Russia of "flagrantly breach[ing] international norms" citing "the reckless use of chemical weapons on the streets of Britain by agents of the Russian GRU".
A spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed the claims, saying they are part of an "information campaign".