U.K. to launch probe into death of Russian dissident spy Litvinenko

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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U.K. has announced to launch a public inquiry on Tuesday over the death of the Russian dissident spy Alexander Litvinenko to examine whether Russian state was involved in his murder.

Mr Litvinenko, a former KGB officer, died after being poisoned with radioactive polonium.

Home Secretary Theresa May has told parliament regarding a probe that will now replace the ongoing inquest in the murder of Litvinenko in 2006.

The 43-year-old spy fled to Britain in 2000 but later died drinking tea laced with radioactive polonium-210 at a London hotel during 2006. His wife and friends have always believed that the Russian state is responsible for the killing. 

Mr Litvinenko’s widow, Marina Litvinenko has told to be “relieved and delighted” with the announcement. However, she has also indicated that it still may take a “long time” to get the truth while hoping the “truth will win out in the end”.

Ms May has told the House of Commons: “I am announcing today the government’s decision to establish an inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 to investigate the death of Mr Alexander Litvinenko in November 2006. The inquiry will be established by the Home Office. The inquiry will be chaired by Sir Robert Owen, a senior judge who is the current Coroner in the Inquest into Mr Litvinenko’s death.” 

According to the inquiry’s Terms of Reference, “the Chairman is to conduct an investigation into the death of Alexander Litvinenko in order to ascertain who the deceased was; how, when and where he came by his death and identify where responsibility for the death lies”. 

A former KGB bodyguard, Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitri Kovtun have been identified as the prime suspects, but both deny any involvement in the murder and remain in Russia.

Russia has also dismissed the claims long ago made by Litvinenko on his deathbed that Moscow ordered his killing after Litvinenko was granted asylum in the Britain and became a critic of the Kremlin.

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