Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov were sensationally named by cops today as suspects in the Salisbury poisoning that left the dad and daughter fighting for life
TWO Russian spies suspected of poisoning Sergei and Yulia Skripal disguised the deadly Novichok in a fake Nina Ricci perfume box.
Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov were sensationally named by cops today as suspects in the Salisbury poisoning that left the dad and daughter fighting for life.
Police now believe the poison was brought to the UK from Russia in a Nina Ricci ‘Premier Jour’ perfume bottle with a specially made poison applicator.
This is the same bottle picked up by Charlie Rowley, whose girlfriend Dawn Sturgess died after being exposed to Novichok on June 30.
It had been unclear how the pair came across the deadly nerve agent in Salisbury but the two cases have now been linked.
Charlie, 45, revealed when he regained consciousness that he found what he believed was a discarded bottle of perfume and handed it to Dawn as a present.
Within hours they were both unconscious in hospital. Dawn never came out of her coma and died eight days later and the two cases have now been linked.
Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, National Lead for Counter Terrorism Policing, said today: "Charlie told police he found a box he thought contained perfume in a charity bin on Wednesday, 27 June.
Inside the box was a bottle and applicator. He tried to put the two parts together at his home address on Saturday, 30 June, and in doing so got some of the contents on himself.
"He said Dawn had applied some of the substance to her wrists before feeling unwell.
"We have carried out numerous inquiries in relation to the bottle and are now able to release an image of it with the nozzle attached. We are also releasing an image of the box that the bottle and nozzle were in.
"We have spoken to Nina Ricci and undertaken further inquiries. Nina Ricci and our inquiries have confirmed that it is not a genuine Nina Ricci perfume bottle, box or nozzle.
"I’d like to reassure anyone who has bought Nina Ricci perfume from a legitimate source that they should not be concerned. It is safe."
A European Arrest Warrant and Interpol red notices have now been issued for Petrov and Boshirov - meaning they can be arrested if they leave Russia.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it would not be applying to Russia for an extradition warrant because the country's constitution does not permit the extradition of its own nationals.
The two men are not being sought in relation to the poisoning of Charlie and Dawn.
