Skripal expresses fear of reprisals from Putin before inquiry
- Ross Cassidy testified at the inquiry that Sergei Skripal expressed fear of returning to Russia due to threats from Putin.
- The inquiry focuses on the circumstances surrounding the death of Dawn Sturgess and previous poisoning incidents involving the Skripals.
- The revelations underline the dangers faced by former spies and the potential geopolitical implications of such cases.
In Salisbury, Wiltshire, a public inquiry has revealed that former Russian spy Sergei Skripal expressed serious fears about returning to his homeland due to potential reprisals from Russian authorities, specifically mentioning that President Vladimir Putin would 'get him.' This testimony was provided by Ross Cassidy, Skripal's former neighbor, during the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry. Cassidy recounted how he befriended Skripal after he moved in around 2010, and they discussed Skripal's military past and diplomatic experiences in Russia. The inquiry centers on the death of Dawn Sturgess, who was killed in July 2018 after being exposed to the nerve agent Novichok, which linked back to the previous poisoning of Skripal, his daughter, and a police officer in March of the same year. The incident has raised questions regarding Russian involvement and the implications for former spies living abroad. Cassidy described an incident before the poisoning, when he drove Skripal’s daughter Yulia from Heathrow Airport, noting that he felt he was being followed by an unmarked police vehicle. This aspect highlights the tense atmosphere surrounding Skripal, as suspicions ran high about surveillance and threats to his safety. The inquiry is currently being chaired by Lord Hughes of Ombersley and aims to piece together the events leading up to Sturgess's death and the poisoning of the Skripals, drawing connections between these incidents and the wider implications for international security regarding chemical weapons and espionage.