I have asked my lawyers to petition HM Coroner to hold a full inquest into the
murder of my husband, Alexander Litvinenko. Only a review of the evidence in
an open, independent court in Britain will get to the truth about who
poisoned his tea with radioactive polonium-210 on November 1, 2006, as well
as how and why.
I do this against the wishes of the Scotland Yard and David Miliband, the
Foreign Secretary, who both told me that making the evidence public would
prejudice a criminal trial of the chief suspect, Andrei Lugovoy, whom the UK
is trying to extradite from Russia. But after waiting for 15 months I have
come to the conclusion that Mr Lugovoy, a former KGB agent, will never be
extradited. So I respectfully reject their argument. I cannot wait for
another ten years for a slim chance that their approach would bear fruit.
I should emphasise that I hold no grudge against the police or the British
Government; I am eternally grateful to them for identifying and naming the
suspect, and then slapping Russia with an extradition request, which, even
though it has not been successful, has squarely put the blame for
Alexander's death at the Kremlin's door. However, this is not good enough
for me. If I cannot get justice, then at least I need the full truth.
While the British authorities are constrained by due process and could do
nothing more than repeat futile extradition pleas, the Kremlin has embarked
on a propaganda campaign designed to divert the blame from itself. It wants
to destroy the reputation of Alexander, a former member-turned-critic of the
FSB, Russia's security service, and to discredit the allegations he made
that the Kremlin was behind the assassination of the journalist Anna
Politkovskaya and a series of apartment bombings in 1999 that was blamed on
Chechen separatists.
Officials at the highest levels at the Kremlin have insinuated that my
husband's friends in London killed him “in order to smear Russia”. In a scam
worthy of the old KGB, a fringe American journalist was invited to Moscow
for an interview with Russian prosecutors, who showed him the British
extradition papers - the ones that I am not allowed to see. His “conclusion”
- that my husband poisoned himself while smuggling radioactive material for
terrorists - was published in a third-rate New York newspaper and then
trumpeted in Russia as an American-sourced report. I have to protect my
husband's good name from such dirty tricks. A full inquest would put an end
to these kind of smear campaigns.
I fully trust the British police when they say that they have an ironclad case
against Mr Lugovoy. But I am not the one who needs convincing. It is the
Russian people who need to know. Mr Lugovoy professes his innocence, and
none other than President Putin has cast him as a victim of “British
colonialism” on national TV. Millions of Russians believed these claims, and
now Mr Lugovoy has been elected to the Russian Parliament for an
ultra-nationalist party that slavishly supports the Putin line. In the
meantime, the evidence against him remains sealed in London. I cannot afford
for it to remain there for ever. I need a full inquest to show both men for
what they are: a murderer and his patron.
I am frustrated by the fact that Mr Lugovoy is the sole focus of the British
indictment. With all the evidence against him, he did not have a motive or
access to polonium-210. Somebody sent him and gave him the poison, which
must have been produced, dosed, tested and packaged by someone else. Experts
say that the Avangard nuclear plant in Russia is the only place where they
make polonium-210, and that security there is so tight that it could not
have been taken away without an official order. They also say that “nuclear
forensic analysis” must have established the origin and the production date
of the batch that killed my husband. I want the polonium report to be read
in the coroner's court. Then perhaps Russia would have to explain how the
material produced in its most secure facility ended up in Mr Lugovoy's
suitcase in a London hotel room.
People tell me that disclosure of the whole truth would further damage British
relations with Russia. Even a hint of Russian official complicity would put
the British Government into an awkward position; after all, killing a
British citizen in London with a radiological weapon is an act of war or of
state-sponsored terrorism or both. What should the UK then do? How would
Russia retaliate? Tens of billions of pounds of investments are at stake.
Geopolitical balance is, too. Don't make yourself into a problem, I am told.
To this I answer: I am not the problem. The problem is the people who sent Mr
Lugovoy to London with a weapon of mass destruction in a suitcase. If they
went to such lengths to get rid of my husband, imagine what they would do if
their larger interests are at stake. Denying this would not make the problem
go away; it would only make it worse.
Russia will soon have a new president. Dmitri Medvedev is not tainted by the
crimes of the previous regime. He says that he wants to bring the rule of
law to Russia. He has the power to cleanse Russia of the people who killed
my husband, but I am not sure that he has the will. If he dares not, he will
become their hostage. But if he dares, he will need evidence, which is
sealed in the Scotland Yard files. An inquest in London holds a huge promise
for Russia; it might just tip the balance between the bright and the bleak
outcome.
But the most important reason for wanting this inquest to take place is that I
owe it to my husband. Many years ago in Moscow, just before his first
arrest, he told me: “Marina, if something happens to me, you would go around
the world and tell people what happened and why.”
I did not believe him then. He repeated it on his deathbed in London. He
wanted me to go out and alert the people to the evil that rules in the
Kremlin. I am doing this for him.
Could we first take a look at something that can prove any of the accusations?
Alex, Boston, US
Alexander Litvinenko's life was placed in endangerment through his collaboration with Mario Scaramella to ferret out FSB KGB assets and undercover agents operating in Italy on behalf of the Mitrokhin Commission and when he collaborated with Yuri Shvets who entrusted to him incriminating dossiers on Russian businesses involved with crime families, corrupt officials alleged to have ties to the FSB and the powerful siloviki surrounding Putin. In Italy Litvinenko, acting on information allegedly from the FSB, falsely accused a former FSB agent of being engaged in an assassination plot against two members of the Mitrokhin Commission, a crime Scaramella was later convicted of planting false evidence The Yukos Oil dossier prepared by Shvets, entrusted to Litvinenko, who allegedly entrusted a copy to Lugovoi, was said to have triggered the state sponsored assassination of Litvinenko. The verdict on the evidence related to Litvinenko's involvements with Scaramella and Shvets remains open.
Brian K. Doan, Alexandria, VA USA
Well, Russian misanthropic thugs call Litvinenko traitor who betrayed his oath and fidelity to motherland. In other words, they attest they were behind his murder and FSB (KGB) was involved in this act of state-sponsored terrorism. What a shame for Rossia!
SERHIY, Lviv, Ukraine
Britain, like France and Germany, cowers like frightened child whenever they are compelled to face Russia. The Kremlin is filled to the brim with criminals, gangsters, and cutthroats- a mob of brigands has terrorized all Europe, whom they hold at the point of a gas pipe. Bloodfeuds playing out in Mayfair, Oligarchs buying up Chelsea and Knightsbridge, Russian bombers overflying British airspace- and how does No. 10 react? Slash the Royal Navy to such an extent that they couldn't patrol a child's bathtub! When the British finally get an opportunity to stand up to Putin's thugs, they choke, launching a cursory investigation. Demand all suspects be extradited, or force Russia to face trade sanctions and a NATO Censure! No, the British people themselves are to blame. Since 1918, they've fallen from pride, into self-loathing and despair. They no longer have the will to combat agression abroad, or to act to save their own skins. Europe needs a Trajan, an Alexander, a Napoleon.
JC, MI, United States
Dieter, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Thank God, that there are such logical and soberminded people in the West, as you!
Alexey, Moscow, Russian Federation
Oh, come on! It is easy to see what happened to Litvinenko if you ask his wife where did they get money to live in UK! He did not have a proper job! But he bought a house in London! He said Berezovski gave him the money to buy the house. What did Litvinenko give him in exchange? Or how did he manage to return this money? Obviously he was involved in smuggling of radiactive materials - that is the only explanation of how he managed to support himself and his family without having a job!
Alex, Moscow,
I don’t know how many Russians have read that book, but documentary movie based on the book was demonstrated by central Russian TV channels. The FSB conspiracy theory by Litvinenko has no any rational, since everyone in Russia, in contrast to you, knows that second Chechen war started following the invasion of Chechen forces to Dagestan (august 1999) before the attacks on apartments (September 4, 9 and 13, 1999). Litvinenko also knew that but dancing to Berezovsky’s pipe told this entire fib in his book.
Alex, Rochester, USA
I’d just like to clarify some points to the non-Russian readers. You may be shocked by the spine-chilling callousness of the majority of the postings by Russians. Here we are, commenting on a ‘plea’ of a widow who has lived through such a harrowing experience that is unimaginable for the rest of us. But instead of sympathy and support, these people use the article as an opportunity to smear, malign, distract attention and in general muddy the waters. It looks like a pack of curs happy to show their loyalty to the master are nibbling at the wounded bleeding lion.
But you should not be deceived – these are the people who are hired by the Kremlin-KGB mafia to look through all the Western media publications and post their comments.
And 2 more very important points:
Litvinenko had NEVER BEEN A SPY.
Polonium was chosen because it is (was until this case) ABSOLUTELY UNDETECTABLE: the probability of it being detected was believed to be ‘nil’, for several reasons... sorry 0 characters left
Victoria, Moscow, Russia
I wonder how many of the Russian contributors here have actually read the book Litvinenko wrote called "Blowing up Russia"? It is a closely argued and compelling account of exactly how why and where the FSB had every motive for organising those attacks on the apartment blocks and if Litvineko was not right about that, and the Kremlim cares so little about him, why then did Russia (1) ban the sale of the book there? and (2) pass a law in the Russian Parliament authorising the liquidation of people like him whether at home or abroad, who propogate anti State dissenting views?
I think the Kremlim not only was behind his assassination they made sure they acted within their own laws in doing so! Hardly could there have been a more telegraphed State assassination in history? Litvinenko was of course well aware he was a target, but still that didnt save him. I only pray Marina wll be luckier.
Alastair, Rye, East Sussex
These Oligarj types seem to be dropping like flies..
Why did Litvinenko carry on his Russian crusade after he became British? As a Brit he should have started a new life. and not endangered his adopted country's citizens and businesses by carrying on his old battles. It is like the Mafia changing their turf. He lived as he died.
This is not a matter for British tax payers. Mrs. L can get one of the surviving Oligarch's to fund her feud.
Kara Swart, London, UK
To Olga who wrote "How was Litvinenko for Kremlin? I'm sure he was nobody and moreover he was NOTHING. Kremlin was not interested in his death at all, because Litvinenko didn't represent any danger to anybody. He was not a fighter for the truth; he was a simple traitor of his country, which wanted to receive money for the treason." .. and other sceptics in Russia, can you answer this question please?
How if what you say is true that Litvinenko was a NOBODY to the Kremlin, why did the Russian Parliament go the trouble of passing a law in July/August last year giving Authority to the elimination of dissenting voices at home and abroad clearly having in its sights just the very likes of Litvinenko and others living in London?
Alastair, Rye, East Sussex
Benedict from Moscow wrote:
«I have worked in Moscow for many years, I have many friends and at one time or another I have asked most of them about this case. NOT ONE of them thinks that Lugovoi is innocent and they all know where the order came from».
I leave in Petersburg from birth. I have many friends and acquaintances. NOT ONE of them thinks that Lugovoi is guilty, but they all surmise where the order came from.
Who are your friends? Where they had being brought up in Moscow?
artamoning, St. Petersburg, not from Florida.
artamoning, St. Petersburg, Russia
"To your data: in the sixth class of Russian school learn to to what in the Great Britain learn on the first course of university
Yuri, Russia
Yuri Mashchenko, Moscow, Russia"
Yuri, you shouldn't exaggerate, please. In 6'th class of Russian school (in Russia 11 levels/years of common education, then college or university) then don't learn about polonium.
They consider us arrogant and irritating people because of such gestures like yours that. And I would believe this too.
Marina, I wish you god luck. And I 'm very interested too in getting the truth about the deth of your husbend.
Be careful with your old friends like Berezovski. The real investigation may be dangerous for them, and hence for you too. And MI6. Just remember of what happened with that man who told thad evidence for starting the Iraq war had been falsified. His name was Clark or something like that.
Vladimir, Zelenograd, Ru
Vladimir, Zelenograd, Russia
I have worked in Moscow for many years, I have many friends and at one time or another I have asked most of them about this case.
NOT ONE of them thinks that Lugovoi is innocent and they all know where the order came from. But as they say, "What can we do?"
Benedict, Moscow, Russia
Actually Egor I also met some wonderful people in Russia and have many Russian friends.
william, nothwood,
Oh, yeh, Willy, you did and you have. I do believe you, thousands wouldn’t but I do.
There is a famous saying “No, I am not an anti-Semite, there are Jews among my friends!†– the Jews like saying this when they laugh at an anti-Semite. Are you any better just because you are not writing that Jews "control the world" but instead posting offensive non-sense about Russians?
Egor, Moscow,
Whilst l am no friend of Russia,we in Britain must remember the lockibie trial,where even the families of the dead relatives have openly questioned the guilty verdict to at least one of the two Libyians.That trial was a travesty of justice,which dirtied the reputation of the british legal system.
Does anyone know if their was an EU arrest warrent issued for Luganov
David glowacki, London, UK
How can we talk guilti Lugovoi or no, if the Britannic police did not present Russia even conclusion about death of Litvinenko?
In this story there are questions which do not clear until now. There is more clear and reasonable version, that Litvinenko got polonium from Kazakhstan for the transmission of him to someone on territory of Great Britain.Thus he worked as a courier for a money, did not know how to apply with radio-active matters and got a mortal dose.
Greg, Moscow, Russia
I'm surprised they aren't commenting about it in their own free press. Oh, I forgot, they don't have one.
Gabor, London,
This article is translated into Russian and published here.
http://inosmi.ru/forum/themes/viewthread? thread=31209
The Epstein’s article in "The New York Sun", the USA, on March, 21st 2008
It is translated into Russian and published here
http://www.inosmi.ru/translation/240388.html
In the same place you can read (if know Russian) discussion of these articles.
You can here for yourselves much useful things, including learn something interesting about polonium-210. For example, you learn, that for extraction it is so much milligramme polonium-210, how many has received Litvinenko, it is necessary to spend only $100 US. You learn as what to extract polonium-210 in such quantity it is possible in school laboratory.
To your data: in the sixth class of Russian school learn to to what in the Great Britain learn on the first course of university
Yuri, Russia
Yuri Mashchenko, Moscow, Russia
Dear Gabor,
you seem to be amazed so many Russians have posted their comments, while alledgedly not having any free press. Why not make the second step and call them all paid KGB agents? For you seem to rule out another option entirely: that those humble Russkies DO have a free press of theirs. Otherwise, how could they have learned of this article?
Strange as it may seem, we have completely changed our positions when the Wall came down. Before, we were the free ones, and the others were brain-washed. Today, a common Moscovite gets no less than 6 versions of Litvinenko murder scenario, all logical - and we only get one.
If that's not brainwashing - what is?
P.S. Lucky we - in Dutch press, we've got at least 3 versions delivered.
Dieter, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Gabor, London writes: "We seem to have a lot of postings from Russia about this story. I'm surprised they aren't commenting about it in their own free press. Oh, I forgot, they don't have one."
The explanation is simple: Many Russians know English and thus can compare information from diffrent sources, unlike their British compatriots.
Regarding "free press". My previous comment to this thread did not pass moderator's censorship. For comparison, in majority of Russian electronic media comments are published immediately, without moderator's evaluation. In that comment I simply stated that opening a full inquest is going to be a problem for the British, not for the Russians. Indeed, as many have already mentioned here, Russian government has been asking for opening full inquest for some time already.
Andy , Los Angeles, California
You seem to be in a difficult position but you need to be careful. It is a mistake to view the British as any more trustworthy or reliable than the Russians in any matter that is political, such as is the unfortunate death of your husband.
Henry Percy, London, UK
RE: I'm surprised they aren't commenting about it in their own free press. Oh, I forgot, they don't have one.
Gabor, London,
Long time ago, when here was USSR, we had anecdote: Reagan and Brezhnew are discussing where the freedom is. Reagan says: anybody here can come to White house and say "Reagan is stupid"! Brerzhnev says: here in USSR anybody can come to Kremlin and say "Reagan is stupid" too!
So the freedom in your press seems to me like in this story: you can freely write "Putin is killer! Russia is barbarian country! ".
Small joke from cold Russia :)
Andrew, Moscow,
Actually Egor I also met some wonderful people in Russia and have many Russian friends. But I could still see that the perceptions many Russians had of the west and also of the machinations of their own political system was coloured by the experience of 70 years of Communism when the sources of information and comment were limited and distorted. In comparison Britain has always had a wide range of views from the far left to right and everything in between. For example on the war on Iraq in the British press one could find every position argued for whereas in Russia as in the Soviet era there was a monolithic perspective.
william, nothwood,
"However, it seems apparent that the British are not willing to go to war for the death of a single individual....Johnson, USA"
of course not !
Are you seriously suggesting the UK goes to war with Russia over ONE death. That brings NATO and the US into it, with nuclear weapons, killing MILLIONS.
Yes, it's wrong that the guy was killed...but here on planet Earth you don't go to war just for that.
With regard to the killing, make a note of it and move on.
Clive, Surrey,
A man has to do,what a man has to do, that goes with women too.Good luck Mrs Litvinenko
james hazan, huddersfield, U.K
It is ridiculous to follow up the campaign for extradition of the Russain guy without any evidence presented. "We need him and that`s it. You must change your constitution, we strongly advise you"... Isn`t it enough, don`t you understand that along with condolence to Marina we realize that she is the pawn in the political games. Berezovsky, Goldfarb and Co are staying behind trying to remind about themselves, to stay in focus.
Why dont`t you say, guys, about the typical thief Berezovsky, Zakayev, the terrorist but from your point of view they are fighters for democracy. Stop it, stop being hypocrites...
Victor, Moscow,
When the UK government accords British Citizenship to a foreigner, he/she is expected to forget their old enemities and start a new life in the UK. Litivenenko had no business pursuing his old agenda after becoming a Brit. He not only endangered British lives ( God knows how many got affected by the radiation) he also put British business interests in peril. Litivenko's fight was his own. Not Britains.
Kara Swart, London, UK
There are still many unanswered questions about Litvinenko...mixing with dodgy geezers like Berezovsky is asking for serious trouble.
Boris, Paris, France
Anyone ever consider that the British government was a part of this, and that their current position is simply damage control?
However, it seems apparent that the British are not willing to go to war for the death of a single individual.
Johnson, USA,
There is motive, hard forensic evidence trailing the weapon back to the secure facility in Russia, a suspect that fits the timeline and had access to said weapon... if this were an American TV show the cigar-chewing lead detective would describe this as a "slam-dunk."
Anyone who thinks the Kremlin DIDN'T organize the murder of Mr. Litvinenko is deluded, or perhaps they think if they plug their ears and ignore everything hard enough they can make the untrue true? Remember Orwell's 1984: we are at war with Eurasia, we have always been at war with Eurasia...
How very Soviet.
As for all the comments about Mr. Litvinenko being a "traitor," I imagine he was fed up living under a system that understands only Fear and Fists as the tools for dealing with rational men.
Peter K, London, UK
lived in Russia for 7 years and felt as though I was living in a vast mental hospital full of people ruled by conspiracy theories, semi-paranoid, nationalistic and unable to evaluate matters such as this rationally.
william, nothwood,
I lived in London for 2 years and felt as though a lived in a Nazi Berlin in April 1945 when all people were so crazy, nationalistic and paranoid that I could hardly breath…
How do you feel about this message, Willy? Actually, I do LIKE Brits (as well as all other nations) and do not think as I have written.
I believe you are a very… special person with problems with perception, Willy, if you brought from Russia the words that you have said.
Unfortunately, I have met other chauvinistic British like you. Fortunately, they represent a tiny minority of the Brits.
PS Dear moderator, as a Russian I am offended. Therefore, I would like to see my reply to Willy please.
Egor, Moscow,
We seem to have a lot of postings from Russia about this story. I'm surprised they aren't commenting about it in their own free press. Oh, I forgot, they don't have one.
Gabor, London,
How was Litvinenko for Kremlin? I'm sure he was nobody and moreover he was NOTHING. Kremlin was not interested in his death at all, because Litvinenko didn't represent any danger to anybody. He was not a fighter for the truth; he was a simple traitor of his country, which wanted to receive money for the treason.
Olga, Moscow, Russia
God Bless you Marina for your determination. God protect you in all ways. Despite all the disbelief, despite all the smears against you and your husband, I believe that you care, not only about him and his memory, but about the people of Russia, and you are doing this also for them. A public enquiry may mean that the details are published in the media, and thus, interested citizens from the Russian Federation will have access to a much more detailed picture of events, and perhaps to a less biased version of events than what they are used to hearing. I respect you enormously for what you are doing. The majority of us, in fact all of us writing on this forum, have no idea what you and your family have gone through, and what you are ready to do, for good, and for justice. I pray that God holds your hand in the most difficult times and I believe that there is a meaning to you doing this for us all. Dont listen to the negative voices, it is easy to do, there are many behind you.
Linda, London, UK
The British special services badly work, they have killed Litvinenko, Patarkatsishvili and cover Berezovskiy. This all is done only to anger and irritate Russia. Personally I like reaction of Russia to all the set forth above events! And this reaction-Any reaction to provocations (as well as it is necessary to Great Russia). FSB it is too professional to use such dirty methods of work! And British people which trusts propagation of the British mass-media is sincerely a pity to me.
And it is necessary for English authorities to reflect on the occupied Scotland, concealment of terrorist Zakaev, the thief and murderer Berezovskiy and In a withdrawal from principles of democracy in the Great Britain! And one more sincere wish-Britain, be more independent!
All of success!
Alexei, Mosca,
The British Government seem quite certain that Lugovoy is the person they are after for this murder.
Have they asked Interpol to issue an International arrest warrant for Lugovoy? Can anybody confirm if this has happened?
Russia is also a member of Interpol and are duty bound to react one way or another to the legal order.
Either way it will put Russia in the spotlight.
mick, glasgow,
An inquest or trial will be nothing more than a gesture that will achieve absolutely nothing, at considerable cost to the public taxpayer.
The only people who would benefit would be the barristers who, just like in the Bloody Sunday inquiry, would rack up enormous fees - again paid by us the taxpayers.
I for one am not interested in funding an inquiry that will achieve nothing - just look at the cost to date of the Al Fayed driven inquiry into the death of Diana and Dodi.
Glenn, wales,
"Only a review of the evidence in an open, independent court in Britain will get to the truth about who poisoned his tea"
Duh.
Thats what the Russian government wanted all the time.
So far all they inquiries to show any evidence about Litvinenko suicide have meet the famous british -"You must trust us - for we are brits. What do you mean your constitution doesn't allow you to give away someone until he is proven guilty? Then change your constitution.".
(and yes i meant suicide - being a traitor and flaunting it, just asks to be used as target practice either for FSB , Mi6 or CIA).
Ignas, Tallinn,
"Qui Prodest" analysis revealed that Kremlin had nothing to gain from Litvinenko's death. Moreover, it's got a lot of troubles and bad PR.
UK got an additional reason to continue anti-Russian actions, so did US.
Marina, you're just a small part of this puzzle in the other's hands. These hands do not like puzzle parts' crying; I will not doubt your death is more then possible.
But will it fit with Kremlin's interest?
Dimitri, Montreal, Quebec
If anybody actually thinks justice will be done here is living in Michael Jackson's Neverland! It's not going to happen. This is spy-games and spy-games don't end up in court. Trying to run an investigation into this case would be like getting stone-walled by the Great Wall of China.
Andrew, Godalming, UK
it's the next usual provocation. KGB KGB KGB.... it's so stupid. Letvinenko was a traitor. Politkovskaya died becouse she worked on chechens separatists. If you work with bandits and traitors please be careful. that's all. how you think is it really good idea for our secret services to kill by nuclear poison? I am surprised that our agents didn;t put a visit card near cup of tea - FSB was here. Please!!! don't be a fool.
Igor, Moscow, Russia
British media are using this absolutely void, but very dirty story to the max... None proofs, none evidences, but a lot of idle talks, and, it is significant that these idle talk is strongly anti-Russian. Heh. I haven't any loss because of deterioration of relations between Britain an Russia. It is interesting what had got Britishs except approval of Big Brother at Washington?
Why not? I joining her claim and want see these notorious "evidences" very much. After short time, i will decide that these proofs are simply fiction.
Chiragu, Kursk, Russian Federation
Marina Litvinenko's plea is deeply heartfelt. I am in complete accord with her on the release of evidence by, evidence that has been withheld from her that would relieve the unbearable grief of desertion she must surely feel as the heinous crime against her beloved husband, their son and her is forsaken. The evidence includes the false testimony of a witness whose indictment of Lugovoi as the lone "useful idiot" of the FBS would expose that the witness himself was a "useful idiot," a tool of the FSB-false testimony submitted into evidence motivated by overwhelming guilt that he was used as an unwitting "useful idiot" to set up Lugovoi. Charges against the other suspect, FSB plant in Berezovsky's entourage who was close to Litvinenko and who is known to Scotland Yard, needs to be brought by the CPS. Lugovoi may not be extradited to stand trial but unlike Lugovoi he is not protected by Russia's constitution. Let the trial begin with them. It would force dislosure of the evidence amassed
Brian K. Doan, Alexandria, VA USA
Polonium is extraordinary toxic. Even a fraction of microgram (0.1ug) is 100% lethal if swallowed or inhaled. Litvinenko consumed much less than 10ug, otherwise he was dying several hours, not weeks.
Such a tiny amount was not necessarily produced in a government-controlled nuclear reactor. A skilled specialist could extract and refine much higher quantities in an averagely-equipped radiochemical laboratory using uranium wastes' emanation or old radium storage containers as a stock.
Artzer, Exeter, UK
I completely agree with Mrs. Litvinenko - the murder must be at last solved and a murderer (if any) punished, and even more agree with J Roberts, Manchester - those Russians like Berezovskij and Zachaev are extremely dangerous for Marina indeed.
Vasiliy, Sanct-Peterburg, Russia
william акщь nothwood, Russians don't blame Britts for traitor's death, but Britts blame Russians, Putin, KGB...
Who is paranoid?
Alexey, Moscow, Russia
Anyone else missed the fact that the poisoning is claimed to have occurred in the UK?
Never mind how a Russion official smuggled material out of a Russian government facility, or the fact that he used it to poison another Russian. How did a Russian official smuggle that radioactive material into the UK?
How about an immediate and searching inquiry into the conduct of our own border guardians? Next time it may be Al'Quaeda and the target may be a public water supply!
KR, Stockport,
1) Lugovoy's extradiction is against Constitution, so it is highly improbable he is given to any foreign country for trial.
2) I support Marina, GB authorities must have a trial on the case, though main suspect is not in custody. I do not understand the argument, that such a trial will deteriorate British-Russian relations: a) Britan is in its full rights to have it, b) it's also in Russia's best interest to know the truth. Moreover, If there's no trial, all allegations in the British press look like purely anti-Russian paranoia and this can really harm our relations.
3) Just for the record, here in Russia, Litvinenko is deemed neither a "hero" nor a "soldier". Do not want to speak ill of the dead, let's just say his close ties with mr. Berezovsky does not do him much credit.
Just have a trial.
Konstantin, Moscow, Russia
I hope the killers will be found and prosecuted. Good luck, Marina.
Al, Msk,
I lived in Russia for 7 years and felt as though I was living in a vast mental hospital full of people ruled by conspiracy theories, semi-paranoid, nationalistic and unable to evaluate matters such as this rationally. The comments from Russians in this blog have merely reconfirmed my earlier experience.
william, nothwood,
One more attempt to earn money on husband's death, nothing more. By the way, haven't you been told at school that polonium doesn't dissolve in water?
Tamara, Moscow,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Mr. Litvinienko a spy? First of the KGB and then M16...
As a spy, he must have had a lot of scelettons in his closet? I mean, its not like as we would have to cry for him now...
Tijana, Belgrade,
Neither logic, nor sane mind. ;)
For example:
"While the British authorities are constrained by due process and could do nothing more than repeat futile extradition pleas, the Kremlin has embarked on a propaganda campaign designed to divert the blame from itself."
"A propaganda campaign"? Isn't it how her insinuations are called, what do you think?
"It wants to destroy the reputation of Alexander, a former member-turned-critic of the FSB..."
Litvinenko was too well known as a pathological lier and political provocator. Did he had some reputation besides this one to destroy? ;)
"a fringe American journalist was invited to Moscow for an interview with Russian prosecutors"
-- "fringe American journalist" was not invited, but took a lot of efforts to visit Moscow.
"who showed him the British extradition papers - the ones that I am not allowed to see."
What?! She even couldn't see this "evidence" -- but believes it?
And who must be blamed, if british authorities refuse to show it?
scorpio, Moscow, Russian Federation
She is a brave woman. She will probably be the next one to be murdered by the Russians.
J Roberts, Manchester, UK
I'm really disappointed in british police. No Russian would spend millions of $ to kill somebody in such exotic way. Believe me, there are a lot of much more convinient and cheaper ways to kill a person. Litvinenko was just a smuggler, and died because of his own carelessness.
Sergey, Yaroslavl, Russia
Miliband should remember Churchill's words:-
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last."
CR, London,
Oh! The opinions of Mrs.Litvinenko and Russian Prosecutor General's Office have coincided! It's most interesting.
Konstantin, Moscow,
Dear Marina! We all want to find the truth. But to find it we need less emotions and more proves! Meanwhile, it is realy unbeleivable that Russian secret service would use radioacvite polonium (produced for nuclear waepon) to kill anyboby, they surely would use some undetectable poison(those poisons are well known all over the world). As I said, polonium is used for nuclear weapon, therefore there is many places where it could be produced.
Lugovoy was working for Beresovski and came for his invitation, does it mean that Beresovski also is working for KGB? Lugovoy blames that there is not real proves against him. For examples, the camera data from bar in Millenium were not presented. In Russia we feel that all this story has origin in English secret service. And we also want truth!
Andrei, Moscow, Russia
MI-6 as well as FSB perfectly work! Gallant!:) at times there is an impression that british-silly people and do not understand, that APPOINTED (but NOT ELITES!) the prime minister of the Great Britain does all to aggravate and without that complex relations with the Russian Federation. A true lap dog of the USA:) How much I know, in Russia people laugh at British. And correctly do!
Alex, Moscow, Russian Federation
is anyone at all surprised by the incompetence of FSB, allegedly poisioning a virulent critic in a way that would keep him vocal for weeks and leave an easily identifiable trail?
is anyone also surprised that a sudden death of Patarkatsishvili, a pro-russian billionare living in the UK receieved almost no inquiry from scotland yard? and this is after he has been fearing for his life for months?
Tony, st petersburg, russia
Often told me by my Polish-In-Laws - and the Poles know a thing or two about Russian [then Soviet] justice.
Ian Payne, WALSALL,
Don't underestimate, mate - Poles know a lot about Soviet (but not more than you - meaning next to 0 - about Russian) justice: it was a Pole who founded KGB (then ChK) and the system of the "labour camps", it was a Pole who replaced him during the years of "collectivisation" when millions of people were killed or died of starvation.
Yep, they do know.
Egor, Moscow,
Litvinenko was not a soldier, he was a traitor. He was used a nd thrown out - just a professional risk.
The fact, that so called 'ironclad evidence' has not been published until now means only that there is not one. Otherwise all the media would be full of details. Instead we have only Goldfarb's tails. So, I support the traitor's wife - let the British police tell the truth at last. Publically.
"...disclosure of the whole truth would further damage British relations with Russia" - rubbish. The relations doesn't depend on such things.
Alexey, Moscow, Russia
She mentioned this article http://www2.nysun.com/article/73212
, which shows that UK has no real proves against Lugovoi .
Let's look how they react.
I bet UK will find the reason to avoid opening there proves.
Else there will be a big scandal, he-he-he :)
An-Tin, St. Petersburg,
The citation - "Your husband died a soldier, the first victim of the new Cold War."
Alexander Litvinenko - the traitor, instead of the soldier. The soldier is a person who swears on fidelity to the Native land.
Denis, Moscow, Russian Federation
Thomas, I agree with you, if you mean the comment from Brisbane, Australia. Anyway, I wonder if the timing of this statement has something to do with a giant scandal developing over two US citizens working for British Petrolium/TNK and the British Council in Moscow arrested for espionage. My heart goes out to Mr. Litvinenko's widow as well as to anyone who lost their loved one, but I wonder if she realizes that the death of her husband is being used in a much larger game, much larger than the one close "friends of her family" are playing. In a way yes, Litvinenko was a soldier, but in a lot of people's views, he was a soldier for the wrong army.
Alexei, Moscow/New York,
"He wanted me to go out and alert the people to the evil that rules in the Kremlin". It doesn't happen in Kremlin only - the phrase is right about any government in the world. And for what it's worth Britain doesn't extradite Berezovskyi who is claimed by the Russian government. And there is proof against him - as well as there's proof against Lugovoy. So is Kremlin evil and Downing street is not? I doubt it. Politics has never been about the good. But I do hope this Litvinenko case is solved soon.
Elena, Moscow, RF
I wish you all the luck in the world.
Jiri, Prague,
WHAT IS JUSTICE TO ONE IS, IS TOTALLY THE OPPOSITE TO ANOTHER. Often told me by my Polish-In-Laws - and the Poles know a thing or two about Russian [then Soviet] justice.
Ian Payne, WALSALL,
I would argue that Alexander was the second victim of the New Cold War, Anna Politkovskaya being the first.
Mel, La Jolla, California
You don't need an inquiry. Your husband died a soldier, the first victim of the new Cold War. Any further detail will only serve to obscure his sacrifice.
Paul Francis, Brisbane, Australia
Superbly put by a brave woman!
Thomas Goodey, Cuxton-upon-Medway, UK