Litvinenko, former Russian intelligence officer, likely 'was poisoned twice'

New evidence suggests that Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian intelligence officer and critic of Putin's government, was poisoned twice before his death. This evidence, published on Tuesday, February 7, indicates that contrary to officials' beliefs, the former KGB officer was not only poisoned once but twice with radioactive plutonium. According to the Associated Press, the information provided by Robin Tam, Litvinenko's lawyer, is the latest revelation in the long-running investigation into the death of the former KGB agent. Mr. Tam, who is the official claims lawyer in the case, stated that existing evidence shows that radioactive isotopes of plutonium-210 were administered to Alexander Litvinenko in mid-October 2006 and again two weeks later. Mr. Litvinenko, a critic of the Russian government and resident of London, fell severely ill after drinking tea with two Russian men at a hotel in London on November 1, 2006, and died three weeks later due to 'acute radioactive contamination.' While Britain has accused Russia of involvement in his death, Moscow has denied the allegations and refused to extradite the two men identified by Britain as the main suspects. The unusual death of Alexander Litvinenko and his pre-death letter accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of ordering his poisoning have soured relations between Russia and Britain for several years. Robert Owen, the judge in the case, stated, 'The issues surrounding his death are of great significance.' Robin Tam, the case's lawyer, mentioned that after Litvinenko fell ill, traces of radioactive contamination were found throughout London, which 'could have endangered the lives of thousands of ordinary people.' Mr. Tam added that evidence showing Litvinenko was poisoned not just once but twice will be presented to the court. Litvinenko had expressed physical discomfort several weeks after being hospitalized. Litvinenko's lawyer stated that a witness would testify that the suspects had asked a chef in London to put an expensive poison in his food. The Associated Press further reports that Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun, two former Russian intelligence officers, vehemently deny involvement in Litvinenko's death. The judge stated they have been asked to participate in the court session via video and present their evidence. Marina Litvinenko, Alexander Litvinenko's wife, expressed hope that the court would clarify the truths covered up regarding her husband's death. Investigations had previously stalled due to Russia's refusal to extradite the suspects and the British intelligence agency's opposition to providing confidential information to the court. Public court sessions will continue until the end of April. Judge Owen announced that he hopes to publish the results of the investigation by the end of this year. Robin Tam stated that evidence regarding Mr. Litvinenko's role in the First Chechen War and his subsequent sympathy for the Chechen people, as well as this former Russian intelligence officer's conversion to Islam on his deathbed, will be presented. This court will also address Alexander Litvinenko's relationship with wealthy Russian Boris Berezovsky and murdered journalist Anna Politkovskaya, as well as Litvinenko's strong criticisms of the Russian government. The case's lawyer stated that the judge should consider the possibility that Litvinenko's actions made him a 'nuisance or worse' for the Russian government.