This is a fascinating thread showing just how quickly the Salisbury suspects struck
Two Russian nationals have been named by Theresa May as suspects in the attempted murder of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.
Now the BBC’s Dominic Casciani has shared a step by step guide to the movements of the two men, who used the names Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov and are thought to be officers from Russia’s military intelligence service.
John le Carré, eat your heart out.
I'm going to retweet the crucial evidential pictures of the #Salisbury suspects in the correct chronological order, with some maps. It shows how quickly the suspects struck and left the city. Here's the thread:
— Dominic Casciani (@BBCDomC) September 5, 2018
1.
1) Arrival in Salisbury. "Petrov" and "Boshirov" take a train to Salisbury on Sunday 4 March – after carrying out recon the day before. Here they are at Salisbury station at 11.48am. They are about a mile or so from Mr Skripal's home: pic.twitter.com/EUtmDNBZLm
— Dominic Casciani (@BBCDomC) September 5, 2018
2.
2) Ten minutes later, they're filmed on a petrol station CCTV on Wilton Road. Police say this was on the way to the attack. This makes sense if you consider the direction they are walking and their proximity to Mr Skripal's home: pic.twitter.com/WtdFiiaGZG
— Dominic Casciani (@BBCDomC) September 5, 2018
3.
3) We know the Novichok was applied to Mr Skripal's front door handle. Police have today released this image of the counterfeit perfume bottle that contained the nerve agent: pic.twitter.com/f7bibq6BLv
— Dominic Casciani (@BBCDomC) September 5, 2018
4.
4) Petrov and Boshirov leave the scene. Where they go next isn't clear – various route options- but the bottle was found in a charity bin in the city. The Russians are seen on CCTV on Fisherton Street at 1.05pm and 1.08pm respectively, possibly on their way to the train station: pic.twitter.com/4l5oQPIALi
— Dominic Casciani (@BBCDomC) September 5, 2018
5.
5) At 1.50pm, another CCTV camera at Salisbury station captures the men at the train station as they begin their return to London: pic.twitter.com/VMkMJboJJA
— Dominic Casciani (@BBCDomC) September 5, 2018
6.
6) And hours later, they're at Heathrow and leaving the country: pic.twitter.com/P6hvTbkjYU
— Dominic Casciani (@BBCDomC) September 5, 2018
Someone had this observation and the truth was, well, have a look.
They were taking a real chance relying on Sunday rail services.
— Nick Serpell (@skrifyas) September 5, 2018
There was engineering works on the line – they were indeed delayed into Salisbury on the Sunday.
— Dominic Casciani (@BBCDomC) September 5, 2018
It would have been potentially the most British thing ever if an assassination attempt by a foreign agent was foiled by a rail replacement bus service.
— Matt Walker (@MattofWalker) September 5, 2018
Oh come now Dom. Which of us haven't stopped off in Salisbury for a spot of lunch when we have a flight to catch later?
— Ian Simcox (@ijsimo) September 5, 2018
It's possible. I once went an hour out of my way while en route to Belfast Airport to pick up some award-winning artisan sausages. Nearly missed the flight.
— Dominic Casciani (@BBCDomC) September 5, 2018
Wow! What a post. The #Skripal poisonings. Serious #TinkerTailorSoldierSpy stuff.
— Sean Callaghan (@keanespirit) September 5, 2018
What shouldn't be lost here – Incredibly shoddy tradecraft by the two assassins. No effort at disguise or to evade surveillance, flew direct on Russian passports. The Russians could have done this professionally, but seems they couldn't be bothered.https://t.co/orBQc9nQqA
— Fabius Cunctator (@DeEnervated) September 5, 2018
