Former Russian Spy and Kremlin Critic Dies of Poisoning

A former Russian spy and critic of the Kremlin who was poisoned with a high dose radiatioactive substance has died in a London hospital.   Alexander Litvinenko left a statement pointing to Russian President Vladimir Putin in his death. 

Before his death, Litvinenko had been investigating the death of Anna Politkovskaya, a Russian investigative journalist who was gunned down Oct. 7 in her Moscow apartment building.  Litivinenko had also been seeking to uncover corruption in Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB. 

According to a report at Brietbart.com, Litvinenko worked for the KGB and its successor, the FSB. In 1998, he publicly accused his superiors of ordering him to kill tycoon Boris Berezovsky and spent nine months in jail on charges of abuse of office.  He was later acquitted and in 2000 sought asylum in Britain, where Berezovsky is now also living in exile.

According to reports, polonium-210, a radioactive element, was found in Litvinenko's body.

Litvinenko's father, pictured to the right, told reporters tearfully that, "This (Russian) regime is a mortal danger to the world" and that "It was an excruciating death."

The U.K Times has an account of a final interview with Litvinenko before he died.

Here is the text of a statement released by Litvinenko before he died:

I would like to thank many people. My doctors, nurses and hospital staff who are doing all they can for me; the British police who are pursuing my case with vigor and professionalism and are watching over me and my family. I would like to thank the British government for taking me under their care. I am honored to be a British citizen.

I would like to thank the British public for their messages of support and for the interest they have shown in my plight.

I thank my wife, Marina, who has stood by me. My love for her and our son knows no bounds.

But as I lie here, I can distinctly hear the beating of wings of the angel of death.  I may be able to give him the slip but I have to say my legs do not run as fast as I would like. I think, therefore, that this may be the time to say one or two things to the person responsible for my present condition.

You may succeed in silencing me but that silence comes at a price. You have shown yourself to be as barbaric and ruthless as your most hostile critics have claimed.

You have shown yourself to have no respect for life, liberty or any civilized value.

You have shown yourself to be unworthy of your office, to be unworthy of the trust of civilized men and women.

You may succeed in silencing one man but the howl of protest from around the world will reverberate, Mr. Putin, in your ears for the rest of your life. May God forgive you for what you have done, not only to me but to beloved Russia and its people.

Update 1:  There is some concern about whether those who had close contact with  Litvinenko, including his wife and son, may also have become contaminated.

Update 2:  More details on the story at Wizbang

Update 3:  Update on the investigation at the U.K. Sun

Comments

[PoliticalCritic]

This has Putin and the Russian government written all over it.

[DemocracyRules]

Only a few grams of polonium-210 are produced each year, worldwide. It seems unlikely that a non-state operator could obtain, safely transport, and use such a rare poison. Sometimes, the isotope can be traced back to its country of origin. I hope the Brits can do that in this case.