'This (Russian spy poison) wasn't cooked up by amateurs in a bathtub'

The Times of London ^ | November 25, 2006 | Mark Henderson and Lewis Smith

[Zakeet]

Now that the source of the radiation that killed Alexander Litvinenko has been identified, the metal’s rarity could help to lead police to his killers.

Polonium-210, the isotope identified in Mr Litvinenko’s body, is known to be highly toxic and radioactive, and it is not easy to come by. It occurs naturally only at trace levels, and larger amounts that would be needed to kill are manufactured in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators by bombarding bismuth-209, a similar but inert metal, with neutrons.

Unlike certain other radioactive isotopes, such as caesium-137 and cobalt-60, it is not used in medical radiology, and therefore cannot be stolen from hospital waste. Its main use is in anti-static devices in industry, though in a form that could not be easily adapted for use as a poison. It is also sometimes used as a power source for satellites.

The difficulty of getting hold of polonium suggests that the killer was well resourced and possibly state-sponsored, scientists said.

Andrea Sella, lecturer in chemistry at University College London, said: “This is not the sort of thing that amateurs could have cooked up in a bathtub. You would have to go to a nuclear lab such as Oak Ridge, Los Alamos or Harwell — or to one of the Russian ones.”

[Zakeet]

Interesting read (with much more content in the article) about the compound that killed the dissident Russian ex-spy in London.

[GarySpFc]

The difficulty of getting hold of polonium suggests that the killer was well resourced and possibly state-sponsored, scientists said.

A billionaire like Boris Berezvosky would have no trouble obtaining this poison.

[Taxbilly]

Rove strikes again.

[Abathar]

Almost sounds like whoever did it wanted the world to be able to have a strong suspicion of exactly who it was, but not be able to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Seems this should be taken as a warning for anyone thinking of going public against Putin or any of his top officials - "We will kill you in broad daylight and not care who knows we did it either, even in a foreign country."

[fishtank]

Good tagline, BTW.

John 10:1

"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.

[GSlob]

Not Rove - Borat it was, with the help of nefarious bicyclists, numismatists and philatelists. But behold our resident kegebuns, who will be rushing to demonstrate their loyalties and affiliation. Such form of striptease can even be educational.

[timer]

Blair should recall his ambassador from russia, and kick out the russian ambassador, this murder has PUTIN written all over it. Like a dog returning to its vomit, russia under putin has returned to its old ways, no more illusions or investment bucks for them until they get right with the rest of the civilized world.

[claptrap]

I guess Ill avoid the polonium milk shakes when dining
with former or active duty FSB agents in the future.

[driftdiver]

"I guess Ill avoid the polonium milk shakes when dining
with former or active duty FSB agents in the future."

Beware the veal.

[GarySpFc]

Like a dog returning to its vomit, russia under putin has returned to its old ways, no more illusions or investment bucks for them until they get right with the rest of the civilized world.

I am very familiar with that verse. That said, the Lord expects Christians to base their decisions on what they know to be true (EVIDENCE), not emotions and rhetoric.

[AndyJackson]

A billionaire like Boris Berezvosky would have no trouble obtaining this poison.

Oh really? And just where do you suggest he buy it from? With a half-life of 138 days, you cannot just stockpile the sutff.

[Revolting cat!]

I'd watch my diet if I were Michael Richards.

[GarySpFc]

BTW, here is an interesting tidbit. A friend of mine who worked out of the American embassy for over 10 years told me today he read that Litvinenko converted to Islam 2 months ago. He is going to try and provide me with an English translation by tomorrow.

[Cacique]

bump for later

[daybreakcoming]

I don't know. It's almost too obvious that it was at Putin's direction. Who's to say that the dead spy didn't have complex enemies. Russia has quite the active black market in just about anything.
Just thinking outside the box here.

[Revolting cat!]

A billionaire like Boris Berezvosky would have no trouble obtaining this poison.

Oh, sure, "Berezvosky" did it.

In 1998, Mr Litvinenko first came to prominence by exposing 
an alleged plot to assassinate the then powerful tycoon 
Boris Berezovsky, who himself now lives in self-imposed 
exile in the  UK. 

[GarySpFc]

Berezovsky is a multi-billionaire, with a stated goal of a coup in the Russian government. He still has many friends within the government. He would spend a million or two for the poison without blinking an eye if he thought it would bring down the government. The UK has even threatened to deport him because of his threats.

Notorious Oligarch Berezovsky Reveals Plans for Coup in Russia.

If you do not like the source, then Google for similiar articles.

[GarySpFc]

And Litvinenko was on Berezovsky's PAYROLL.

[free_at_jsl.com]

It's good to see an article that finally comes out and says the obvious. This has been clear to me for some time but hasn't been "dumbed down" by the media until now.

[GarySpFc]

I don't know. It's almost too obvious that it was at Putin's direction. Who's to say that the dead spy didn't have complex enemies. Russia has quite the active black market in just about anything. Just thinking outside the box here.

Granted, Putin and the SVR might very well have murdered Litvinenko. However, too many Freepers have already tried Putin and started recruiting the firing squad. If in the end the EVIDENCE shows they did it then so be it. However, keep in mind the following.

Let's see, Alexander Litvinenko worked for Boris Berevosky. Berevosky hates Putin and wants to bring him down. Now that we have established those two points please read the following information.

US Department of State seriously interested in Russian oligarch in disgrace, Boris Berezovsky (Assassination of Paul Klebnikov, Forbes Russia Editor)

The former Russian oligarch, who currently resides in England, is suspected to be involved in the assassination of Forbes Russia editor

Russian oligarch in disgrace, Boris Berezovsky, may soon face severe problems. The US State Department is interested in Mr. Berezovsky's activities: the oligarch found himself involved in the case of Paul Klebnikov, a journalist of the US origin, editor of Forbes Russia. Mr. Berezovsky did not even expect that events would take such a turn for him.

Boris Berezovsky and Paul Klebnikov used to have something in common. Paul Klebnikov wrote an article about Berezovsky in the original English version of the magazine, in which he accused the erstwhile Kremlin favorite of many sins, including the implication in the murder of a well-known Russian journalist, Vlad Listyev. Boris Berezovsky sued Forbes in response – he decided to take a legal action against the world-known magazine in England. The magazine eventually had to publish apologies.

This is an excerpt. Please read the rest of the article.

Notorious Oligarch Berezovsky Reveals Plans for Coup in Russia

Here are some additional facts regarding Berezovsky.

1. Russia and the UK were very close to coming to an extradition treaty agreement. This would put the entire Berezovsky gang under and increased risk of deportation to Russia, or having to relocate to another country at the very least.

2. Letvineko just happened to live right next door to Chechen terrorist Zakayev, who like Letvineko is on the payroll of Team Berezovsky. Even the Dr. who came out earlier in the week and claimed Thallium poisoning works directly for Berezovsky.

3. Russian officials seem to have finally noticed the pattern of these things happening when Putin is having meetings at overseas events. Almost every one of these relates to EU meetings. This goes back to the terrorist attacks on the Moscow subway and two aircraft a few years back as well as the Klebnikov, Politskaya and now Letvineko.