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24/11/2006
Radiation tests conducted following Russian's death
Police investigating the death of former KGB colonel Alexander Litvinenko are searching for various locations for radioactive material, after a large dose of radiation was found in his body.
Following his death, a "major dose" of polonium-210 was discovered in his body, the Health Protection Agency revealed.
On Friday, it was revealed that police found levels of radiation in the sushi bar where Mr Litvinenko ate before he fell ill, as well as a hotel where he had a meeting on the same day.
The 43-year-old Russian fell ill on November 1. He met with two Russian men at a London hotel, before meeting Italian Mario Scaramella, at a Piccadilly sushi bar. Later that day, he fell ill and was admitted to University College Hospital in London two weeks later.
At first, it was believed that Mr Litvinenko had been poisoned with toxic chemical thallium or radioactive thallium. However, on Thursday it was reported that his condition had deteriorated overnight and one of his doctors Dr Geoff Bellingnan ruled out both of the substances as having caused Mr Litvinenko's illness. It is still not clear what caused his illness and counter-terrorism officers from Scotland Yard are investigating the case.
Mr Litvinenko, who came to Britain six years ago, was an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime and, at the time he fell ill, was investigating the recent murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya. Ms Politkovskaya, who was another critic of Putin's government and opposed to the conflict in Chechnya, was shot dead near her apartment in Moscow last month.
Mr Scaramella, who was working for an inquiry into KGB activity in Italy for the Italian government, claimed that both he and Mr Litvinenko had received email death threats and had discussed them on the day he fell ill.
A friend of Mr Litvinenko's, film-maker Andrei Nekrasov, told 'The Times' that before the Russian died he told him: "The bastards got me, but they won't get everybody."
Before he died, Mr Litvinenko dictated a statement in which he accused Vladimir Putin of being involved in his death.
The Kremlin has dismissed claims that that it was involved in the alleged poisoning, saying that the claims were "sheer nonsense", while Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, have also denied any involvement.
(KMcA)
Following his death, a "major dose" of polonium-210 was discovered in his body, the Health Protection Agency revealed.
On Friday, it was revealed that police found levels of radiation in the sushi bar where Mr Litvinenko ate before he fell ill, as well as a hotel where he had a meeting on the same day.
The 43-year-old Russian fell ill on November 1. He met with two Russian men at a London hotel, before meeting Italian Mario Scaramella, at a Piccadilly sushi bar. Later that day, he fell ill and was admitted to University College Hospital in London two weeks later.
At first, it was believed that Mr Litvinenko had been poisoned with toxic chemical thallium or radioactive thallium. However, on Thursday it was reported that his condition had deteriorated overnight and one of his doctors Dr Geoff Bellingnan ruled out both of the substances as having caused Mr Litvinenko's illness. It is still not clear what caused his illness and counter-terrorism officers from Scotland Yard are investigating the case.
Mr Litvinenko, who came to Britain six years ago, was an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime and, at the time he fell ill, was investigating the recent murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya. Ms Politkovskaya, who was another critic of Putin's government and opposed to the conflict in Chechnya, was shot dead near her apartment in Moscow last month.
Mr Scaramella, who was working for an inquiry into KGB activity in Italy for the Italian government, claimed that both he and Mr Litvinenko had received email death threats and had discussed them on the day he fell ill.
A friend of Mr Litvinenko's, film-maker Andrei Nekrasov, told 'The Times' that before the Russian died he told him: "The bastards got me, but they won't get everybody."
Before he died, Mr Litvinenko dictated a statement in which he accused Vladimir Putin of being involved in his death.
The Kremlin has dismissed claims that that it was involved in the alleged poisoning, saying that the claims were "sheer nonsense", while Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, have also denied any involvement.
(KMcA)
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08 July 2008
Brown's Stance Praised By Litvinenko Widow
The widow of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has commended Prime Minister Gordon Brown for "standing firm" on his demand for the extradition of the main suspect in the assassination of the defector. Marina Litvinenko welcomed Mr Brown's continued "firm" calls for the extradition of Andrei Lugovoi, two years after Mr Litvinenko's poisoning.
Brown's Stance Praised By Litvinenko Widow
The widow of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has commended Prime Minister Gordon Brown for "standing firm" on his demand for the extradition of the main suspect in the assassination of the defector. Marina Litvinenko welcomed Mr Brown's continued "firm" calls for the extradition of Andrei Lugovoi, two years after Mr Litvinenko's poisoning.
29 November 2006
More locations tested in Litvinenko investigation
Police investigating the death of former KGB agent Litvinenko are examining two new locations in London's West End. The search for traces of polonium 210 - a radioactive substance found in the body of Mr Litvinenko - has now been extended to cover the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel and a second office building in Grosvenor Street.
More locations tested in Litvinenko investigation
Police investigating the death of former KGB agent Litvinenko are examining two new locations in London's West End. The search for traces of polonium 210 - a radioactive substance found in the body of Mr Litvinenko - has now been extended to cover the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel and a second office building in Grosvenor Street.
31 January 2007
Litvinenko file handed to CPS
Scotland Yard has handed a file on the investigation into the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko to the Crown Prosecution Service. Mr Litvinenko, 43, died in hospital in London in November last year, after falling ill earlier that month.
Litvinenko file handed to CPS
Scotland Yard has handed a file on the investigation into the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko to the Crown Prosecution Service. Mr Litvinenko, 43, died in hospital in London in November last year, after falling ill earlier that month.
30 November 2006
Radiation found in 12 locations in Litvinenko investigation
Traces of a radioactive substance have been found in 12 locations as the investigation into the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko continues. Speaking in the Commons, Home Secretary John Reid revealed that 24 locations are being monitored.
Radiation found in 12 locations in Litvinenko investigation
Traces of a radioactive substance have been found in 12 locations as the investigation into the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko continues. Speaking in the Commons, Home Secretary John Reid revealed that 24 locations are being monitored.
23 May 2007
Talks continue over Litvinenko murder
Diplomatic negotiations are continuing between the UK and Russia in an attempt to secure the extradition of a former KGB officer accused of the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. On Tuesday, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that it has enough evidence to charge Andrey Lugovoy with the murder of Mr Litvinenko.
Talks continue over Litvinenko murder
Diplomatic negotiations are continuing between the UK and Russia in an attempt to secure the extradition of a former KGB officer accused of the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. On Tuesday, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that it has enough evidence to charge Andrey Lugovoy with the murder of Mr Litvinenko.
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