SOMALINET NEWS ...Archives
RUSSIA: EX-SPY'S CONTACT ILL FROM RADIATION December 8, 2006
Zainab Osman
(SomaliNet) Investigations into the death of Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko took a new turn Thursday with reports that one of his contacts was in critical condition in a hospital after showing signs of radiation sickness. There were conflicting reports regarding the illness of Dmitry Kovtun, a businessman and former Russian agent who met Litvinenko on the day Litvinenko fell ill with radiation sickness. Another former agent, Andrei Lugovoi, also attended the meeting.
The news agency cited anonymous medical sources as saying Kovtun was displaying symptoms similar to Litvinenko's before he died. Kovtun fell ill almost immediately after he was interviewed by Russian and British investigators.
However, Lugovoi's attorney, Andrei Romashov, said he had spoken with Kovtun's attorney and that Kovtun was in no worse condition than he was when he met with the investigators. He said reports that Kovtun was in critical condition or in a coma were "made up."
Lugovoi said he also tested positive for radioactive poisoning and has checked into a Moscow hospital, his aide, Romashov said Lugovoi is undergoing tests to see if he is ill, and that his interview with British and Russian officials has been postponed indefinitely for reasons that were unclear.
British toxicologists found the rare substance polonium-210 in Litvinenko's body. He died November 23. The substance has been found in several places visited by Litvinenko or his associates. On Thursday, Britain's Health Protection Agency said seven London hotel workers had tested positive for low levels of the radioactive element.
Meanwhile, a private funeral and a memorial service took place in London for Litvinenko. Litvinenko was buried in a sealed, airtight coffin to guard against the release of any traces still in his body of the deadly polonium-210 radioactive isotope.
Before his death, Litvinenko blamed president Putin for ordering his death. Russia has denied any such allegations and has permitted British police permission to carry out investigations in Moscow.
The case has strained relations between Russia and Britain, which has given asylum to wealthy Kremlin critic Boris Berezovsky and Chechen rebel envoy Akhmed Zakayev, as well as Litvinenko.