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Ex-Russian spy Skripal ' improving rapidly': Salisbury Hospital

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ANI London [United Kingdom]

The condition of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal is no longer in a critical condition and his health is improving rapidly, doctors at the Salisbury District Hospital in Great Britain announced on Friday.

The news of his health comes after his 33-year-old daughter Yulia Skripal had regained consciousness and was recovering well after the nerve gas agent attack, The Independent reported.

The Russian Embassy to the UK reacted to the development by tweeting: "Good news!"

Dr. Christine Blanshard, the medical director at Salisbury District Hospital, said in a statement 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 (Skripals) being treated at Salisbury District Hospital. Last Thursday, I informed you 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."

 

"Any speculation on when that date will be is just that - speculation. In the meantime, Yulia has asked for privacy while she continues to get better - something I'd like to urge the media to respect. 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. As you'll appreciate, I won't be giving any further updates at this time," she added.

According to the British government, Skripal and his 33-year-old daughter were exposed to a military-grade nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury on March 4.

Following this, many countries, such as the UK, US, Australia and other European countries expelled Russian diplomats over the same.

Last month, British Prime Minister Theresa May had told the Parliament that Skripal and his daughter may "never recover" as she accused Russia of flouting an international law and 'plotting' the attack on the father-daughter duo.

However, on March 29, doctors said that Yulia was conscious and talking and was no longer in a critical condition.

On Thursday, Yulia expressed her gratitude towards people who supported her and her father in her first media interaction after the attack.

Subsequently, scientists at the Porton Down military research facility, UK have been unable to identify the precise source of the nerve agent 'novichok', which was used to carry out the attack.

On Wednesday, Russia lost a vote at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, The Netherlands on its demand for its experts to be involved in testing samples of Novichok used in the Salisbury attack.

The Russian embassy in the UK had earlier requested the consular access to Yulia and Sergei Skripal but it had been denied.

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First Published: Apr 06 2018 | 11:00 PM IST

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