Investigation Update – 21 September 2021

Charges authorised against third suspect in Salisbury investigation

Counter Terrorism Policing can today, Tuesday, 21 September, confirm that charges have been authorised against a third person in relation to the ongoing investigation into the Salisbury Novichok attack.

Detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing have continued to investigate the attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal and Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey in March 2018, as well as the murder of Dawn Sturgess and poisoning of Charlie Rowley in Amesbury in June 2018.

As a result of these continued enquiries, a third man known as ‘Sergey Fedotov’ was identified and evidence relating to this individual was presented to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Prosecutors from the CPS Counter Terrorism Division considered the evidence and they have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is clearly in the public interest to charge Sergey Fedotov with the following offences:

• conspiracy to murder Sergei Skripal;
• attempted murder of Sergei Skripal, Yulia Skripal and Nick Bailey;
• causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Yulia Skripal and Nick Bailey;
• and possession and use of a chemical weapon, contrary to the Chemical Weapons Act 1996.

Police enquiries uncovered evidence to show that ‘Sergey Fedotov’ is an alias for ‘Denis Sergeev’ and that he is a member of the Russian military intelligence service, the GRU. Evidence gathered also shows that ‘Ruslan Boshirov’ and ‘Alexander Petrov’ are aliases for ‘Anatoliy Chepiga’ and ‘Alexander Mishkin’ respectively and that these individuals are members of the GRU.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, who has been leading the Counter Terrorism Policing investigation into the Salisbury and Amesbury attacks said:

“This marks another significant development in our investigation. Ever since these terrible incidents occurred, we were clear that we would be relentless in our investigation and our pursuit of justice for the victims of the attacks and their families.

“Whilst public attention gradually moved away from what happened in Salisbury and Amesbury, the investigation team has remained absolutely focused, meticulously poring over the evidence and building our case. This has been one of the most complex investigations ever undertaken in Counter Terrorism policing and the skill, professionalism and dedication shown by everyone involved has been remarkable.

“We continue to appeal to the public for any information that might assist with our investigation. The information we’re releasing now may well jog somebody’s memory, so I would urge you to get in touch with any information about the three men we have identified – whether you may have seen them in the UK between 2-4 March 2018, or if you know them.”

Anyone with information should call police in confidence on 0800 789 321 or email salisbury2018@met.police.uk

Since the announcement made in September 2018, that charges had been authorised against two men known as ‘Alexander Petrov’ and ‘Ruslan Boshirov’, the investigation team has continued to work to gather further evidence and identify anyone else who may have been involved in the attacks.

Enquiries identified a man known as ‘Sergey Fedotov’ entering the UK at approximately 11:00hrs on Friday 2 March, 2018 on flight from Moscow to London Heathrow. This was around four hours prior to Petrov and Boshirov arriving from Moscow into Gatwick airport.

Detectives identified that Fedotov stayed at a hotel in central London between 2 March and 4 March 2018. Tests were carried out in the room Fedotov is believed to have stayed in, but no traces of Novichok and no risk to the public were identified from these.

Evidence gathered by the investigation team suggests that Fedotov met with Petrov and Boshirov on more than one occasion in central London over the course of the weekend. Fedotov left the UK on Sunday 4 March, 2018 on a flight to Moscow departing from Heathrow at approximately 13:45hrs.

Further enquiries by the investigation team have identified evidence to suggest that Petrov, Boshirov and Fedotov also previously worked together, for the GRU, as part of operations outside of Russia. As is the case with Petrov and Boshirov, detectives believe that Fedotov was using an alias when visiting the UK and has been identified as ‘Denis Sergeev’.

All three men – ‘Sergey Fedotov’, ‘Alexander Petrov’ and ‘Ruslan Boshirov’ – are now wanted by UK police and arrest warrants are in place for all three. The process of applying for Interpol notices will commence for Sergey Fedotov today, with Interpol Notices already in place for both Petrov and Boshirov.

Police continue to appeal to the public for any information regarding these three men whilst they were in the UK between 2 March and 4 March 2018. Detectives are releasing three images of Sergey Fedotov and anyone who knows them or saw any of the three men should call police in confidence on 0800 789 321 or email salisbury2018@met.police.uk

Nick Price, CPS Head of Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said

“We are working closely with the police to ensure that, where possible, those responsible for this attack are brought to justice. Our specialist prosecutors have considered the additional evidence against the third suspect and have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is clearly in the public interest to charge Sergey Fedotov, who is a Russian national, with a number of offences including conspiracy to murder, attempted murder and the use and possession of a chemical weapon.

“We will not be applying to Russia for the extradition of Sergey Fedotov as the Russian constitution does not permit extradition of its own nationals. Russia has made this clear following requests for extradition in other cases. Should this position change then an extradition request would be made.

“A realistic prospect of conviction means that the CPS is satisfied on an objective assessment that the evidence can be used in court and that an objective, impartial and reasonable jury hearing the case, properly directed and acting in accordance with the law, is more likely than not to convict Sergey Fedotov of the charges. It is of course for a jury to decide whether the evidence is enough for them to be sure of the suspect’s guilt.”

The investigation into the attacks in Salisbury and Amesbury remains ongoing and police also continue to urge anyone who may have information that could assist the investigation team to get in touch if they haven’t already done so. Detectives are still keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the counterfeit ‘Nina Ricci’ perfume box or bottle, which was recovered from Charlie Rowley’s address in July 2018.

Officers cannot account for the whereabouts of the bottle, nozzle or box between the attack on the Skripals and Nick Bailey on 4 March 2018 and when Charlie Rowley said he found it on 27 June 2018.

Anyone who saw the pink box, or glass bottle during this time should call police, in confidence, on 0800 789 321 or email salisbury2018@met.police.uk

Update – 15 August 2019 

Detectives from the Counter Terrorism Policing network, who are investigating the Novichok attack in Salisbury, have confirmed that traces of the nerve agent have been found in a blood sample which was taken at the time from a second police officer.

The officer from Wiltshire Police, who does not wish to be identified, was involved in the response to the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal. The officer displayed signs at the time of the incident that indicated exposure to a very small amount of Novichok. The officer received appropriate medical treatment for this at the time and returned to duties shortly afterwards.

Forensic examination of the officer’s blood sample that was taken in March 2018 has since been carried out by scientists at Dstl on behalf of the investigation team. The forensic test – which uses a different method to that used to assess the clinical effects of nerve agent poisoning – has now given detectives confirmation that traces of Novichok were in the blood sample.

These forensic tests were carried out as part of what remains an ongoing investigation, which has been unprecedented in its complexity and scale and has involved thousands of exhibits. Officers continue to work closely with scientists and experts to meticulously and methodically review and examine the evidence available to us.

The officer has been informed and continues to receive support from Wiltshire Police along with other officers and staff affected by the events in Salisbury and Amesbury last year.

The officer is the fourth person to be confirmed through forensic testing as a victim of the initial Salisbury attack. The higher levels of exposure to Novichok suffered by the Skripals and Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey led to them falling critically or seriously ill.  

Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley also suffered high levels of exposure to Novichok following the incident in Amesbury in June 2018. Tragically, Dawn died some days later, whilst Charlie also became critically ill.

Detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing have also contacted a small number of other individuals whose blood samples were taken at the time, to seek their consent for forensic analysis to be carried out on the samples. There is no need for anyone who has not been contacted by police at this time to take any action.

The purpose of any such test is to assist the criminal investigation, and confirm whether there are any traces of Novichok in the blood samples; therefore forensically identifying any further victims of the attack.

The forensic tests, however, do not have any health implications for either those individuals or the wider public. As the Chief Medical Officer has previously stated, anyone who may have been exposed to short-term or one-off contact with low levels of Novichok and who has not suffered an obvious illness, is not at risk of any long-term health problems and this remains the same.

Furthermore, public health experts have confirmed that there is no change to the overall public health risk, which remains low. However, should anyone have any concerns, then they can contact the NHS by calling 111.

As we made clear from the outset, public health and safety has always been a priority for everyone involved in the multi-agency response to the events in Salisbury and Amesbury.

As previously stated, two men known as ‘Alexander Petrov’ and ‘Ruslan Boshirov’ are wanted by UK police after the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges against the pair, linked to the attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal and Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey. We believe they were using aliases and a European Arrest Warrant and Interpol Red Notices remain in circulation for the two men.

We continue to appeal to the public for any information regarding these two men whilst they were in the UK between 2 March and 4 March 2018. Anyone who knows them or saw them should call police in confidence on 0800 789 321 or email salisbury2018@met.police.uk

At its height, around 250 detectives from across the Counter Terrorism Policing network have worked on the investigation into the attack on the Skripals and poisoning of Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley in Amesbury.

The investigation remains ongoing, and there are parts of the picture that we are continuing to piece together. We continue to urge anyone who has information that they have not yet passed to police to do so. In particular, we are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the counterfeit ‘Nina Ricci’ perfume box or bottle that was recovered from Charlie Rowley’s address in July 2018.

We cannot account for the whereabouts of the bottle, nozzle or box between the attack on the Skripals on 4 March 2018 and when Charlie Rowley said he found it on 27 June 2018. Anyone who saw this pink box or glass bottle during this time is asked to call police in confidence on 0800 789 321 or email salisbury2018@met.police.uk

Investigation Update – 22 November 2018

Brand new footage of the suspects involved in the Salisbury attack has been revealed as appeals for information continue.

CCTV footage of the two suspects – known by their aliases Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov – shows them as they arrive and travel around Salisbury on Sunday 4 March.

The first CCTV clip shows the two suspects as they arrive at Salisbury train station on Sunday 4 March at around 11:48hrs.

The second clip shows the suspects at approximately 11:58hrs walking past a petrol station in Wilton Road, which is in the vicinity of the Skripals’ home address. This is just prior to when detectives believe the nerve agent was placed on the door handle.

The third clip shows the two men walking over a bridge on Fisherton Street at approximately 13:00 hours before they eventually return to Salisbury train station and travel back to Heathrow and catch a flight to Moscow later that night.

Images of a specially made model of the counterfeit perfume bottle are also being issued as detectives from the Counter Terrorism Policing Network continue with their investigation.

Officers are still appealing to anyone who may have seen either of the two men in the UK between 2-4 March, or anyone who may have seen the counterfeit ‘Nina Ricci’ perfume box or bottle that was eventually recovered from Charlie Rowley’s address in Muggleton Road in July.

Anyone with information can call police in confidence on 0800 789 321 or email salisbury2018@met.police.uk

Please find below the press release published on 22 November 2018 – choose your appropriate language:

English – November 2018 Investigation Update 

Russian – November 2018 Investigation Update 

Arabic – November 2018 Investigation Update 

French – November 2018 Investigation Update