At least 21 people treated in poisoning of ex-Russian spy and daughter

World Today

UK Police: At least 21 people treated in poisoning of ex-Russian spy and daughter

Police in the U.K. said at least 21 people have been treated, following the targeted poisoning of an ex-Russian spy and his daughter.

A number of the victims are awaiting blood tests results and are not hospitalized.

CGTN’s Richard Bestic reports.

Sergei Skripal, a former colonel in Russian military intelligence and his daughter Yulia, were found slumped in the street.

Police have also sealed off the graveside of Skripal’s late wife.

Government scientists have now identified the rare nerve agent used in the attack, which could be helpful in identifying the country of origin.

The U.K. Home Secretary Amber Rudd has reported to the British Parliament what she called a ‘brazen and reckless’ crime conducted in the most cruel and public manner.  

“Yes, this was a very serious incident, which is why we’ve got the police down there in full force conducting the investigation, which is why we’re giving all the support we can, the medical support necessary, to the people who’ve been affected. Of course I’m very concerned about the policeman,” Rudd said.

There was no direct accusation from the Home Secretary of an involvement by the Russian government in this attack, but backbench members of the British Parliament are beginning to point the finger.

The scale of the investigation into this attack on the streets of Britain is huge. 

Hundreds of police, security agencies and government toxicologists working to find those involved.   Few answers yet, but this incident has the potential to significantly harm relations between London and Moscow, which weren’t in a particularly good place to start with.