The Russian nerve agent used to poison former spy Sergei Skripal was planted in his daughter’s suitcase before she returned from a trip to Moscow, British investigators said in a report.
Skripal, 66, and his daughter Yulia Skripal, 33, were found slumped over on a bench in Salisbury, UK, on March 4 and remain in stable but critical condition at a local hospital.
The young woman had just flown back to London from Moscow on March 3, according to counter-terrorism police.
Senior intelligence sources told the Telegraph UK they believe the lethal toxin Novichok — Russian for “newcomer “– was placed in an item of Skripal’s clothing, cosmetics or in a gift that was opened in her Salisbury home — to target her double agent dad.
The nerve agent, which also poisoned a police officer who responded to the scene, was first developed by the Soviet military.
The British government believe the Russians are behind the attack and expelled 23 diplomats in retaliation Wednesday.
Russia has denied any involvement.
Leaders in the U.S., France and Germany joined Great Britain to sign a statement condemning Russia’s use of the poison Thursday and called on Moscow to explain how it came to be used on British soil.