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Posted: 2021-09-21 11:32:48

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon said the charges marked another significant development in the 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,” he said.

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“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.”

The trio remains out of reach of British prosecutors but warrants and Interpol notices have been issued for all, severely curtailing their travel overseas.

The Crown Prosecution Service’s Nick Price said applying for the extradition of the trio would be fruitless.

“The Russian constitution does not permit extradition of its own nationals,” he said.

“Russia has made this clear following requests for extradition in other cases.

“Should this position change then an extradition request would be made.”

Sergei and Yulia survived the Novichok attack and are reported to have begun new lives in New Zealand.

The announcement coincided with a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights that the two Russians who poisoned and murdered the former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko with polonium in the UK in 2006 were acting as agents of the Russian state.

Alexander Litvinenko is seen lying in his hospital bed on November 20, 2006.

Alexander Litvinenko is seen lying in his hospital bed on November 20, 2006.Credit:Handout

The case was brought by Litvinenko’s widow Marina Litvinkenko. She told Britain’s Sky News that the ruling was a “great message” to people inside Russia fighting for democracy against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“This case helps other people not give up in trying to change what might happen in Russia one day - and Russia becomes a better country for everybody,” she said.

“It’s a very important day for me.”

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