UK: Poisoned ex-spy 'no longer in critical condition'

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON

Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal, who was poisoned in a nerve agent attack in Salisbury, England on March 4, is “no longer in critical condition” and he is responding well to treatment, the hospital treating him said on Friday.

“Following intense media coverage yesterday, I would like to take the opportunity to update you on the condition of the two remaining patients being treated at Salisbury district hospital,” Dr. Christine Blanshard, the medical director at the Salisbury District Hospital, said.

Blanshard recalled that she had already informed the public last Thursday that Yulia Skripal’s condition had improved to stable.

“As Yulia herself says, her strength is growing daily and she can look forward to the day when she is well enough to leave the hospital.

“I also want to update you on the condition of her father, Sergei Skripal. He is responding well to treatment, improving rapidly and is no longer in a critical condition,” she added.

After the news reports on the health situation of the ex-spy, Russian Embassy in London said it was “Good News!”.

Sergei Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were admitted to a hospital after being found unconscious in the southern English city of Salisbury.

“Mr. Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent of a type developed by Russia,” specifically from the Novichok group, British Prime Minister Theresa May said following the attack.

On Thursday, a Metropolitan Police statement said Yulia Skripal spoke for the first time after the chemical attack and quoted her as saying that she was “glad to say my strength is growing daily.”

Thanking all who have helped when she and her father were incapacitated in Salisbury, Yulia Skripal also “the entire episode is somewhat disorientating, and I hope that you’ll respect my privacy and that of my family during the period of my convalescence.”

The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2006 death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko after drinking radioactive tea. Former KGB bodyguards identified as suspects in the murder denied any involvement.

Sergei Skripal was granted refuge in the U.K. following a 2010 spy exchange between the U.S. and Russia. Before the exchange, he had been serving a 13-year prison term for leaking information to the British intelligence.

Russia missed a deadline set by London to explain how a certain type of military-grade nerve agent was used in the attack.

A world-wide expulsion of 121 Russian diplomats followed the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats from the U.K.

NATO and the EU have supported the U.K. and condemned the attack.