Poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko

Alexander Litvinenko was a former officer of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and KGB, who fled from court prosecution in Russia and received political asylum in the United Kingdom. On 1 November 2006, Litvinenko suddenly fell ill and was hospitalized. He died three weeks later, becoming the first confirmed victim of lethal Polonium-210-induced acute radiation syndrome.

Background

Alexander Litvinenko was born in Voronezh, a city in the Russian SFSR, on 30 August 1962. He was drafted into the Soviet army in 1980, where he served in a unit that was part of the KGB's internal troops. After his military service, he joined the KGB and later its successor, the FSB.

Poisoning

On 1 November 2006, Litvinenko met with two former KGB officers, Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun, at the Millennium Hotel in London. Later that day, he fell ill and was admitted to hospital. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and he died on 23 November. Post-mortem examination revealed that he had been poisoned with Polonium-210.

Investigation

The British police launched a murder investigation, which concluded that Litvinenko was probably murdered on the orders of the Russian state. The main suspects, Lugovoi and Kovtun, denied any involvement and remain in Russia. The case significantly strained British-Russian relations, and led to the expulsion of four Russian diplomats from the UK.

Aftermath

Litvinenko's death sparked a major international controversy, further straining relations between the UK and Russia. It also led to increased scrutiny of Russia's political system and its treatment of dissidents. The case remains unresolved, and continues to be a source of tension between the two countries.

See also

• List of unsolved murders in the United Kingdom
• List of people granted political asylum
• List of whistleblowers