Posted on 12/07/2006 12:49:57 AM PST by Mrs Ivan
Radiation has been found at the British Embassy in Moscow, it emerged yesterday.
On Monday, officials said a room there would be tested as a precaution after former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi went there to deny involvement in poisoning Alexander Litvinenko.
Mr Lugovoi and another Russian businessman reportedly met former spy Mr Litvinenko at the Millennium Hotel in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, on November 1, the day he was apparently poisoned.
A spokesman said: 'A team of experts have concluded a precautionary check of the British Embassy.
'They have found no danger to public health. Small traces of radiation were found below levels that present a risk to health. The embassy is working as normal. There is no cause for concern.'
The news comes after Scotland Yard announced yesterday that the death of Mr Litvinenko is now officially being treated as murder.
A post-mortem examination confirmed he died of radiation poisoning. This, combined with allegations of foul play he made before his death on November 23, persuaded police to launch a murder inquiry.
His death had been termed unexplained or suspicious. Security sources said allegations made by Mr Litvinenko's widow Marina were also a key factor in the decision.
Like her husband, she claims the Kremlin ordered his assassination because he was an outspoken critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin.
A police spokesman said: 'Detectives are keeping an open mind. We have reached no conclusions as to the means employed, the motive or the identity of those who might be responsible for Mr Litvinenko's death.'
The development came as the Italian academic who met Mr Litvinenko on the day he was allegedly poisoned was discharged from hospital.
Mario Scaramella had been treated at University College Hospital in London after testing positive for polonium 210 - the same radioactive toxin that is thought to have killed 43-year-old Mr Litvinenko.
A hospital spokesman said Mr Scaramella had been discharged and was showing no symptoms of radiation poisoning.
In an interview with CNN shortly before he was released from hospital, Mr Scaramella said he did not believe he could have been deliberately targeted as he was 'perfectly well'.
Mr Scaramella met Mr Litvinenko at the Itsu sushi restaurant in Piccadilly, also on November 1.
He said he had received a 'general alert' about the former spy's security in the days before their meeting at Itsu.
Mr Scaramella said he had arranged the meeting to discuss the threat after travelling to London for a conference.
Asked what kind of hostile forces were targeting them, the Italian academic said: 'People linked with some clandestine organisations, not directly under control of Russian establishment but from Russia.
'Generally retired people from security service, this kind of people.'
He said he believed the threat was linked to their work for the Mitrokhin committee, which investigated the KGB's activities in Italy.
Mr Scaramella - who was admitted to hospital last Friday - has been interviewed by police as a witness in the inquiry, but has denied any involvement in the poisoning.
'No cause for concern'
Comment from the Russian embassy: "Nothing to see here. Move along...or we'll kill you."
"Like her husband, she claims the Kremlin ordered his assassination because he was an outspoken critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin."==
Such critics as Litvinenko there are thousands. Novodvorkskaya, Borovoi, Khakamada, Kasyanov, the former ministers of his goverment and so on. I just counted here few names which I see on TV each day cursing Putin and goverment. Litvinenko wasn't known by no one until he went dead.
uh... "visit eatliver to view this picture"?
I see it that western MSM just zombies you. They make you just brain dead. Use your brains, read Internet at least do not look TV or papers only.
;-)
If only that were true. :)
I'm sure that course of action never occured to a regular of this site. /s
Good greif.
It is all part of an ongoing investigation, which hopefully will settle these questions.
And if he's not available there's always George Smiley....
Of course Comrade, how could I have strayed? I the future I shall diligently endeavour to promote only the approved Putin disinformation protocol of the day.
I saw that. A photo was posted and now that eat live thing is there (?)
You mean 'millions' of thinking citizens, not just a few thousands.
"There is nothing more difficult than following in someone's footsteps". ACD
You mean 'millions' of thinking citizens, not just a few thousands.==
The thinking citizens are tens of millions but such "critics" as Litvinenko who served oligarkh mafia and chechen terrorists are quite few.
Save the neo-Soviet propaganda for someone who believes it.
"The thinking citizens are tens of millions but such "critics" as Litvinenko who served oligarkh mafia and chechen terrorists are quite few."
Save the neo-Soviet propaganda for someone who believes it.==
Really I do not discuss your beleives:). It is pointless. If you beleive that Putin is "devil" then nothing will disbelive you:). Believes is just person feelings and do not listen the logical aurguments.
But honestly I think that you should believe only in God anything else you should check and recheck by logics. I do that way.
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