Russia: British Commission's Report on Litvinenko's Death Lacks Credibility

The Kremlin criticized the final report of the British commission investigating the death of Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian security officer, on Thursday, deeming it 'lacking credibility.' The British panel responsible for the judicial investigation into Litvinenko's murder published its final report on Thursday, concluding that 'Litvinenko was likely murdered with the approval of the security service and the President of Russia.' In response, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for Vladimir Putin, stated that this 'so-called investigative report' was politically motivated and biased. According to the TASS news agency, Peskov mentioned that Moscow 'had hoped for close cooperation and interaction with the British panel in this investigation, but the British have refused any form of cooperation with us.' Alexander Litvinenko, a former officer of the Federal Security Service of Russia, sought asylum in Britain in 2000 after joining critics of Vladimir Putin. He died six years later in a London hotel from poisoning by the radioactive substance polonium. This former security officer had met with two Russian men in the hotel hours before his death and had tea with them. According to British media reports, Litvinenko had been cooperating with the British intelligence service, MI6, after seeking asylum in London. The British judge heading the inquiry concluded that 'Alexander Litvinenko was likely murdered with the approval of Mr. Patrushev, the then-head of the Federal Security Service of Russia, and also Vladimir Putin, the President of the country.' However, Putin's spokesperson described this report as 'ambiguous,' stating that the use of the word 'likely' indicates that this conclusion 'lacks legal and judicial credibility.' Simultaneously, following the release of the inquiry report, Theresa May, the British Home Secretary, accused Russia of violating international law and summoned the Russian ambassador in London to protest to Moscow. She also stated that the assets of the two Russian men who met with Litvinenko hours before his murder would be frozen.