Radioactive substance in ex-spy's body (Polonium)

Houston Chronicle ^ | Nov. 24, 2006, 9:17AM | Staff

[Paleo Conservative]

LONDON — Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned by radiation, Britain's Health Protection Agency said Friday. Agency scientist Roger Cox said polonium-210 had been found in Litvinenko's urine. Earlier, Home Secretary John Reid said Litvinenko's death Thursday night was "linked to the presence of a radioactive substance in his body." Reid, the country's top law-and-order official, said experts were searching for "residual radioactive material" at a number of locations.

The former KGB agent dictated a statement in the waning hours of his life, blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin and describing him "as barbaric and ruthless as your most hostile critics have claimed." Putin said Friday there was no proof it was a "violent death."

Litvinenko, a former spy turned Kremlin critic, signed the statement in the presence of his wife before losing consciousness, said Alex Goldfarb, a friend who read it aloud outside the hospital Friday.

In his first public comment on Litvinenko's death, Putin said his passing was a tragedy and extended his condolences to his family.

But the Russian leader said British medical documents did not show "that it was a result of violence, this is not a violent death, so there is no ground for speculations of this kind."

"A death of a man is always a tragedy and I deplore this," Putin told reporters at a European summit in Helsinki, Finland.

Putin's government has strongly denied involvement in Litvinenko's death, calling the allegation "nothing but nonsense."

"It's so silly and unbelievable that it's not worth comment," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in Helsinki.

"Now the case will be investigated by relevant British services and we hope that those who are standing behind this case will be brought to justice," he added.

Litvinenko died of heart failure after days in intensive care, London's University College Hospital said.

[Paleo Conservative]

The previous thread was just a headline from the Drudge Report. This thread is the first with text accompanying the headline.

Walter Litvinenko , father of former Russian spy
Alexander Litvinenko, is escorted by a policeman to the
main entrance to University College London Hospital
after speaking to the media about his son's death,
Friday Nov. 24, 2006. Alexander Litvinenko a former
Russian spy died Nov. 23 at the hospital of
suspected poisoning.
(AP Photo/Alastair Grant) ALASTAIR GRANT: AP

[neodad]

Then there was that Yuschenko guy earlier this year:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4041321.stm

[spanalot]

So the Russians deny this was a violent death?!?!??

Hey Putie , do you still deny this one too?

http://genocidecurriculum.org/curriculum-resources/general-archive/united-states-congressional-commission-on-the-ukrainian-famine/1report-to-congress/cover-page-3/

[spanalot]

Yush is lucky he induced vomiting - he should have been dead long before the acne showed up - and that is the only way to detect dioxin poisoning.

[RichardW]

I hate to say this but I think Bush greatly miscalculated Putin. Putin is behind this murder but proving it is likely to be very difficult.

[RusIvan]

Putin is behind this murder but proving it is likely to be very difficult.==

With same proving base one may say that it is YOU behind that death. There sameway no hard evidence to prove that:).

[RichardW]

But we don't have to be stupid about this. We all know who ordered up these murders. It is even being alleged that Putin arranged the apartment bombings to bring himself to power. I wouldn't put anything past him.

[Uncle George]

Looks like a re-run of "D.O.A." with his "Luminous Poisoning".

[the lone wolf]

This was not just a murder. Whoever did this wanted to send a message as well.

Polonium-210 does not grow on trees, and it would take a very well connected assassin to have access to it.

[He Rides A White Horse]

Agency scientist Roger Cox said polonium-210 had been found in Litvinenko's urine.

I don't think you'll find that in Cheerios.

[DBrow]

"Polonium-210 does not grow on trees,"

It's not as rare as you think. It's used in a few consumer items in the USA, and several industrial gadgets.

Getting a half milligram or two together would take some doing, but it would not be impossible.

With a half live of five months, you could not gradually accumulate the dose you'd need.

[anymouse]

FR Thead: ABC News Exclusive: Murder in a Teapot British officials say police have cracked the murder-by-poison case of former spy Alexander Litvinenko, including the discovery of a "hot" teapot at London's Millennium Hotel with an off-the-charts reading for Polonium-210, the radioactive material used in the killing.