The brother of Amesbury Novichok victim Charlie Rowley has told of his shock at his sibling’s recovery after he was released from hospital.
Mr Rowley was discharged from Salisbury Hospital three weeks after being poisoned by the deadly nerve agent.
The 45-year-old collapsed at home in Amesbury, Wiltshire, when coming into contact with the substance on June 30, alongside his partner Dawn Sturgess, 44, who died shortly after.
‘I’m very suprised because when I first saw him I thought he’d be there for months,’ his brother, Matthew Rowley, revealed.
‘Obviously he’s stronger than I thought, which is a great thing.’
Charlie Rowley, 45 (pictured) who was poisoned with deadly nerve agent Novichok in Salisbury has been discharged from hospital three weeks after falling ill
![Mr Rowley's partner Dawn Sturgess, 45 (pictured) died as a result of the poisoning on July 8](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/07/20/17/4E40358A00000578-5975421-image-a-22_1532105513479.jpg)
Mr Rowley’s partner Dawn Sturgess, 45 (pictured) died as a result of the poisoning on July 8
He added: ‘I saw him on Wednesday and he was very weak then. He could barely lift his head off the pillow and had lots of tubes and things supporting him.’
Lorna Wilkinson, director of nursing at Salisbury District Hospital, said in a statement: ‘I am pleased to confirm that earlier today, Charlie Rowley was discharged from hospital.
‘Charlie has been through an appalling experience most of us could never imagine.
‘Today is a very welcome milestone in his recovery and all of us at Salisbury Hospital wish him well as he continues to get better.
‘The progress he has made is a testament to the remarkable clinical team who have worked tirelessly, supported by brilliant behind the scenes staff. I want to take this opportunity to thank them again.
!['I'm very suprised because when I first saw him I thought he'd be there for months,' his brother, Matthew Rowley (pictured), revealed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/07/21/14/4E756E7C00000578-5977451-image-a-2_1532178558133.jpg)
!['I'm very suprised because when I first saw him I thought he'd be there for months,' his brother, Matthew Rowley (pictured), revealed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/07/21/15/4E756F0800000578-5977451-_I_m_very_suprised_because_when_I_first_saw_him_I_thought_he_d_b-a-2_1532182791659.jpg)
‘I’m very suprised because when I first saw him I thought he’d be there for months,’ his brother, Matthew Rowley (pictured), revealed
‘But it is also a day tinged with sadness for everyone as we remember Dawn Sturgess, who tragically lost her life on Sunday July 8.
‘We continue to think of Charlie and of Dawn’s family, and support them as they go through the difficult process of coming to terms with her death.’
![Victim: A murder investigation has been launched after Dawn Sturgess died of her catastrophic injuries](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/07/20/18/4E649E5A00000578-5975421-image-m-28_1532107033551.jpg)
Victim: A murder investigation has been launched after Dawn Sturgess died of her catastrophic injuries
Public Health England has said Mr Rowley, 45, poses no risk to the community, but said the public should not pick up random items off the street.
Mr Cosford added: ‘Our advice to the public remains unchanged. Do not pick up any items such as syringes, needles, cosmetics or similar objects made of materials such as metal, plastic or glass. If you didn’t drop it, then don’t pick it up.’
Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Kier Pritchard, who is leading the investigation along with counter terror experts, said: ‘On behalf of all my officers, staff and volunteers, we welcome today’s news that Charlie Rowley has been discharged from Salisbury District hospital. We wish him the best with his ongoing recovery.
‘I would also like to pay tribute to the staff at Salisbury District Hospital for the outstanding care and compassion they have shown to everyone involved in both this incident and the incident in March.
‘The last few months have had an unprecedented impact on all the local emergency services and partner agencies and the response from all has been outstanding.
![Investigators (pictured in Salisbury in Hazmat suits) have spent the last three weeks scouring several areas of Amesbury and Salisbury, where former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned by the nerve agent earlier this year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/07/21/15/4E705DDC00000578-5977451-Investigators_pictured_in_Salisbury_in_Hazmat_suits_have_spent_t-a-1_1532182791481.jpg)
Investigators (pictured in Salisbury in Hazmat suits) have spent the last three weeks scouring several areas of Amesbury and Salisbury, where former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned by the nerve agent earlier this year
‘Wiltshire Police will continue to co-ordinate activity with partner agencies at a local level to ensure that Mr Rowley continues to receive the support he needs in his ongoing recovery.’
It comes months after former Russian spy Sergei Skirpal, 67, and his daughter Yulia, 33, were poisoned with the same substance nearby in Salisbury.
Police working on the Skirpals case have now identified the perpetrators of the attack.
Detectives believe a team of Russians assassins were sent to the UK to murder the former Kremlin double agent back in March and are hunting up to six suspects.
It is understood the kill team have been recorded on CCTV, which police are not releasing to the public, as they carried out their mission in Salisbury.