Russians accused of Salisbury nerve agent attack have 'disappeared' and their mobile phones no longer work
The Russian prime suspects in the Salisbury nerve agent attack have disappeared following their only interview about the case and appear to have disconnected their mobile phones.
Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov carried out one interview with Russian state-sponsored network RT, in which they claimed they were visiting Salisbury as tourists.
Security services believe they travelled from Moscow to the UK to smeared deadly nerve agent Novichok on a door handle at the Wiltshire home of former spy Sergei Skripal, leaving him and his daughter Yulia critically ill.
The attack is believed to be linked to the death of Dawn Sturgess, 44, who fell ill after being exposed to the same chemical in nearby Amesbury.
Her partner Charlie Rowley, 45, also fell ill, while police officer Nick Bailey, who visited the home of the Skripals shortly after the attack, was also left critically ill from exposure to the substance.
But despite giving an interview with RT, the pair since seem to have disappeared.
Editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan said the men had promised to send her images of their visit to Salisbury Cathedral – which they claimed was the reason for their visit – but haven’t done so.
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The mobile phone they used to make contact with her also no longer appears to be in service, she said.
Ms Simonyan said: “They told me that if they found those pictures, they would send them to me on WhatsApp. I’m still waiting. They didn’t have them on them.”
She added: “I tried to call them on the phone on which they called me but it has been out of coverage.
“They said if they found the pictures they would send them to me but I am still waiting.”
Before the interview, they had made her agree to a strict set of conditions to minimise the chance of being tracked down.
She told the BBC: “One of the conditions was that no questions would be allowed that would allow the media to track their acquaintances or their business partners or their relatives or their classmates or whomever.
“As they said – and this is their words not mine – that this is their first and last interview to the media ever.”
The pair’s claims have not only been rubbished by Downing Street, but have also sparked comedy responses across social media as people mock their so-called explanation.
Can you help two friends of mine? They’re coming to the UK, but only for 2 days. With time so tight, which two places should they visit?
— Richard Osman (@richardosman) September 13, 2018
‘We are innocent tourists. Our friends had been suggesting for some time that we visit the wonderful town of Salisbury” pic.twitter.com/t4583EJg7a
— Dan McKee (@danieljmckee) September 13, 2018
Many referred to the idea that the pair had travelled all the way to Salisbury just to see its cathedral.
Of course those Russians were just tourists. Everyone knows that Salisbury has 2 world-class tourist attractions:
1. The cathedral
2. The famous Skripal Door Handle.— David Schneider (@davidschneider) September 13, 2018
After novichok suspects say they only came to Salisbury as tourists, a suspicious review appears on Trip Advisor: pic.twitter.com/5T0E3wUYOY
— Have I Got News For You (@haveigotnews) September 13, 2018
Salisbury wasn’t the first time… pic.twitter.com/ITBaWjrrYo
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) September 13, 2018
People are being very sceptical about these two Russians, but I’d like to see YOU try visiting a beautiful cathedral city without killing some people.
— Dan Rebellato (@DanRebellato) September 13, 2018
"We are not here to EXTERMINATE. We merely wish to visit the galactically renowned Salisbury Cathedral. pic.twitter.com/SiJ67HO0GI
— Sir Humphrey (@pinstripedline) September 13, 2018
Proof that those Russians were just on a day trip from Russia to see #Salisbury Cathedral 😉 pic.twitter.com/VQUizJCjFZ
— Mark (@rawlimark) September 13, 2018
20. You
19. Can’t
18. Rank
17. The most
16. Popular
15. Tourist
14. Attractions
13. For
12. Russians
11. In
10. England
9. Because
8. TripAdvisor
7. Algorithms
6. Are
5. Impenetrable
4. To
3. Russian
2. Bots
1. Salisbury Cathedral— James Graham (@mrJamesGraham) September 13, 2018
Of course those Russians in Salisbury were only tourists. They have proof. pic.twitter.com/rAskFRFxjO
— Angela Collings (@angieisthebest) September 14, 2018
Others referenced the fact that the duo had apparently left early because of snow – something it is thought they are likely to be used to.
Fly to Britain
Stay in shitty hotel in London
Travel to Salisbury
Don't visit cathedral because Russians don't do snow
Leave after half an hour
Fly home again
Why doesn't Thomas Cook offer this tour?— GeorgeMonbiot (@GeorgeMonbiot) September 13, 2018
Napoleon and Hitler were defeated by Russian winter….
Meanwhile Salisbury slush breaks the will of two Russian spies………— Bassman Bob (@spottie999) September 13, 2018
Some jokes referred to the similarity between the pair’s explanation and the Wikipedia entry about Salisbury Cathedral.
In retrospect, it’s a shame MI5 didn’t anticipate the Russians’ defence and edit Wikipedia accordingly.
“We visited Salisbury on the advice of friends to see the famous Haribo-encrusted spire, designed by the famous architect Dale Winton.”
— James Chalmers (@ProfChalmers) September 13, 2018
There was no invasion of Poland on 17 September 1939, the Russians were misunderstood, they were simply passing through Poland on their way to visit Salisbury Cathedral.
— John Hellis 🇬🇧 (@Pillboxman) September 14, 2018
Just off to visit a cathedral in Russia, I'm memorizing it's Wikipedia page first as I'll be back in 2 days. I just need a Primark jumper now….see you soon.
— David Evans (@Evo_712) September 14, 2018