It follows revelations that Yulia's friends are being bugged by Vladimir Putin's security services in the hope of locating the ex-spy and his daughter, who are in hiding. It emerged that authorities in Moscow had grilled Yulia's closest friend after they intercepted a call from her mobile to Europe aimed at "reestablishing a secure communication channel" with Yulia. Sergei, 67, and 36-year-old Yulia are living under assumed identities under the protection of British security services. In March last year they survived being poisoned with the nerve agent novichok in Salisbury. Russia's continued efforts could be led by the GRU military intelligence agency, which suffered a blow to its pride over the botched attack.
Russian sources have confirmed that agents detained Yulia's friend, known only as Gulnara.
She is said to have told them the pair are in a "witness protection programme", suggesting they have new identities. The friends met when they worked at Moscow's US embassy and Gulnara has been given power of attorney over Yulia's Russian affairs.
She was arrested at Moscow airport by members of the Investigative Committee as she returned from her homeland in Kazakhstan. The reason given for the detention was to aid efforts by Yulia's family in Russia - specifically her cousin Viktoria - to sell Yulia's belongings.
In February last year the go-between sold Yulia's Ford Kuga SUV car and is now negotiating with estate agents for the sale of Yulia’s £125,000 flat in Moscow.
However, Yulia has made
