Litvinenko lawyers call for Russian and English spies to attend inquest

 
Alexander Litvinenko, former KGB spy and author of the book "Blowing Up Russia: Terror From Within" photographed at his home in London in this Friday, May 10, 2002 file photo. Police said Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006 they were investigating the suspected poisoning in London of the former Russian spy and outspoken Kremlin critic who had accused his former colleagues of involvement in terrorism and assassinations. Scotland Yard said it began an investigation on Friday. Col. Alexander Litvinenko, 43, was under armed guard in University College Hospital in London.
Justin Davenport2 November 2012

British and Russian spies could be called to give evidence at the inquest into the death of Russian Alexander Litvinenko, it emerged today.

Lawyers acting for the widow of Mr Litvinenko, the former Russian agent poisoned with polonium-210, are calling for MI6 and FSB, the Russian secret service, to be made key parties in the hearing.

Mr Litvinenko, 43, died after he had tea with former KGB agents Andrei Lugovoy and Dmitry Kovtun at a central London hotel in 2006.

A pre-inquest hearing today heard how there were a number of “competing and controversial” theories over how he died.

While he lay dying in a London hospital bed Mr Litvinenko said Moscow ordered his death because of his opposition to the government.

Today Hugh Davies, counsel for the inquest, said theories included the possibility that British secret agents were either involved in his death or failed to protect him knowing he was at risk.

Other theories included Mr Litvinenko being killed by the Spanish mafia or Chechen groups, that Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky had a role in his death or that he was killed by Russian gangsters.

The hearing also heard that the British government and agencies had, so far, failed to hand over key documents despite being asked for the material in January.

Another pre-inquest hearing next month must decide the extent of the theories to be examined at the main hearing next year.

Neil Garnham, QC for the Home Office, said at least eight separate government agencies, including the security services and the Ministry of Defence, were examining files to see if they had material relevant to the death. They were expected to provide the results within the next few weeks.

After the hearing Mr Litvinenko’s widow Marina said she wanted the Russian state to be represented in court.

She said: “It is quite a difficult time and I believe it is important not just for me and my family but for the two countries Russia and England because their relationship is quite difficult.”

She said it was upsetting to hear allegations that her husband committed suicide included in theories about how he died.

The coroner, Sir Robert Owen, a High Court judge, will decide next month on whether to appoint a jury and where to hold the inquest.

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