Novichok suspects identified

[peterb]

It seems as if the people who attempted to murder two Russion subjects in Salisbury (Sergei and Yulia Skripal) have been identified as two Russian intelligence agents - and therefore an operation almost certainly approved by the Russian State.

Moscow - unsurprisingly - still denies involvement, claiming "information manipulation" - oh the irony.

It is unlikely that they will face justice as Russia does not permit extradition, unless they are apprehended outside Russian soil.

News story here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44883803

[Saracen]

Well, sort-of identified, apparently. The names used were believed to be false IDs.

[Lanky123]

I imagine these were uncovered pretty quickly but the security services have decided there's now no reason to withhold the information. Cross-referencing 'Russians flying back within 24 hours' to suspects from Salisbury CCTV and other intelligence can't take 6 months in an investigation of this size. Maybe they were hoping that one of them would foolishly assume they'd gotten away with it and show up on holiday in a country friendly to Britain?

[cptwhite_uk]

Releasing this info to the public is the sentence, since it's all we're effectively able to do to them.

[Saracen]

Also, with my pedant hat on, "perpetrators" is jumping the gun. "Suspects" is a more accurate term, because no matter how certain the PM, police or security services are, we still have 'innocent until proven guilty", and as Russia won't extradite, they'd have to he terminally stupid or arrogant to ever set foot in a country where a UK or EU arrest warrant will he honoured, or similar proceedings in other friendly countries - so they're never likely to fsce court, and so unlikely to be convicted.

Are they guilty? Who knows. Probably. But it needs adequate evidence in a court to confirm they're the perpetrators.

[peterb]

^ corrected

[Corky34]

So the hunt goes on for the suspects as the guys who appeared on Russian TV totally said they didn't do it, they spent what was probably a great deal of money on a 5 hour plain flight and a couple of hours train journey because their mates told them about an old clock and rather tall cathedral spire, that's perfectly normal for two burly men in their 40's and they didn't come across as suspicious at all...

[Lanky123]

You've got to admire the chutzpah of Russia's position if nothing else. So long as some level of (im-)plausible deniability can be maintained for domestic propaganda their attitude seems to be 'yes, of course we did it, but what are you going to do?'

I guess we have to come up with a proper answer to that question or just accept things like this happening from time to time.

[Saracen]

So the hunt goes on for the suspects as the guys who appeared on Russian TV totally said they didn't do it, they spent what was probably a great deal of money on a 5 hour plain flight and a couple of hours train journey because their mates told them about an old clock and rather tall cathedral spire, that's perfectly normal for two burly men in their 40's and they didn't come across as suspicious at all...

It's better thsn that. Thdy wanted to visit Salisbury to see the cathedral spire, so they booked a hotel room in Bow, in London, then sent on a reconnaisance trip to Salisbury, located the cathedral but didn't visit and went back to Bow. Then, next day, back to Salisbury to again not visit the cathedral before flying back to Moscow. Snd, somehow, managed to leave traces of a secret chemical weapon in their hotel room because, y'know, we all fly off to visit churches in foreign parts with WMD's stuffed down our shorts.

As you say, not the least bit implausible.

Still, it all does prove one thing. They say russian intelligence agents are dour thugs, but clearly, they have an active sense of humour.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Still, it all does prove one thing. They say russian intelligence agents are dour thugs, but clearly, they have an active sense of humour.

Also a complete lack of regard for their own safety,let alone anyone else - the last time they tried something they ended up contaminating themselves with radioactive materials too,and leaving a nice radioactive gingerbread trail for everyone to follow. It almost seems like amateur hour.

[TeePee]

Salisbury Cathedral is beautiful, and has some beautiful examples of statuary. Definitely worth a visit. Definitely not worth being the only thing you visit on a long weekend in England.

[Smudger]

Salisbury Cathedral is beautiful, and has some beautiful examples of statuary. Definitely worth a visit. Definitely not worth being the only thing you visit on a long weekend in England.

Even worse to visit Salisbury (twice) with the intention of visiting the cathedral, then not go anywhere near it.

Like flying to Sydney for a weekend and spending all your time in Parramatta.

[Corky34]

To be fair we don't know they didn't go anywhere near the cathedral, they could be really, really, fast runners and got around Salisbury proper quick like.

At least we've found out the Russian version of kryptonite, Slush, who knew all we need are a few space-heaters to turn all that Russian snow into slush and they'd turn tail.