Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Litvinenko Wife Defies Brits, Demands Inquiry

Poisoned spy's widow wants to expose Putin's role in his murder

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 27, 2008 10:04 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Alexander Litvinenko's widow calls for a public inquiry into the poisoning of the Russian spy in an op-ed for today's Times of London. Both the British foreign secretary and Scotland Yard have sought to dissuade her from petitioning for an inquest, saying it would prejudge a criminal trial against chief suspect Andrei Lugovoy. But after 15 months, writes Marina Litvinenko, it is clear that he will never be extradited.

The UK says it has an "ironclad" case against Lugovoy, who has since been elected to the Russian parliament. "While the British authorities are constrained by due process," Litvinenko writes, "the Kremlin has embarked on a propaganda campaign designed to divert the blame from itself." An inquest, she says, would expose Lugovoy as a murderer to the Russian people—and Vladimir Putin as his patron.

Marina Litvinenko, wife of the former Russian intelligence officer Alexander Litvinenko, picture seen on flowers, who was poisoned by polonium 210.
Marina Litvinenko, wife of the former Russian intelligence officer Alexander Litvinenko, picture seen on flowers, who was poisoned by polonium 210.   (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Marina Litvinenko, wife of the former Russian intelligence officer Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned by polonium 210, answers a question during a media conference, in London Friday, Nov. 23, 2007.
Marina Litvinenko, wife of the former Russian intelligence officer Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned by polonium 210, answers a question during a media conference, in London Friday, Nov. 23, 2007.   (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Marina Litvinenko, widow of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned by radioactive Polonium 210, listens during the launch of the Litvinenko Justice Foundation in London.
Marina Litvinenko, widow of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned by radioactive Polonium 210, listens during the launch of the Litvinenko Justice Foundation in London.   (AP Photo/Sang Tan)
David Miliband, the UK foreign secretary, who has dissuaded Marina Litvinenko from seeking an inquest into her husband's murder.
David Miliband, the UK foreign secretary, who has dissuaded Marina Litvinenko from seeking an inquest into her husband's murder.   (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Andrei Lugovoi, a former KGB officer and key figure in the investigation into the fatal poisoning of former Russian security agent Alexander Litvinenko, speaks to the mediain Moscow, on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008.
Andrei Lugovoi, a former KGB officer and key figure in the investigation into the fatal poisoning of former Russian security agent Alexander Litvinenko, speaks to the mediain Moscow, on Thursday, Jan....   (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Marina Litvinenko, center, dark glasses, wife of the former Russian intelligence officer Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned by polonium 210.
Marina Litvinenko, center, dark glasses, wife of the former Russian intelligence officer Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned by polonium 210.   (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More on the Litvinenko affair
BBC

 
Russia • Alexander Litvinenko • United Kingdom • Vladimir Putin • David Miliband • Andrei Lugovoy • British-Russian relations • Marina Litvinenko

More Newser Stories

UK-Russia Relations Remain Frosty

Poisoning Suspect Runs for Parliament to Dodge Jail

UK Demands Extradition in Spy Poisoning

Litvinenko Murder Suspect to Run for Mayor of Olympic City

Putin: US Sparked Georgia War
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne