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| Ex-spy's condition deteriorates | Ex-spy's condition deteriorates |
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| There has been a "dramatic deterioration" in the condition of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, doctors have said. | There has been a "dramatic deterioration" in the condition of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, doctors have said. |
| Mr Litvinenko, 43, is now critically ill in intensive care at University College Hospital in London, after suffering a heart attack overnight. | Mr Litvinenko, 43, is now critically ill in intensive care at University College Hospital in London, after suffering a heart attack overnight. |
| Critical care head Geoff Bellingham said it was unlikely the ex-KGB agent was poisoned by thallium. | Critical care head Geoff Bellingham said it was unlikely the ex-KGB agent was poisoned by thallium. |
| The Kremlin and Russian security services have denied any involvement. | The Kremlin and Russian security services have denied any involvement. |
| Friends of Mr Litvinenko have claimed he was poisoned in London earlier this month because of his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin. | Friends of Mr Litvinenko have claimed he was poisoned in London earlier this month because of his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin. |
| Dr Bellingham said he was "concerned by speculation in the media by people who are not directly involved" in the care of Mr Litvinenko. | Dr Bellingham said he was "concerned by speculation in the media by people who are not directly involved" in the care of Mr Litvinenko. |
| Reports of three objects found on x-rays of the patient were "misleading" and were almost certainly shadows caused by Prussian Blue, used to treat thallium or caesium poisoning, he said. | Reports of three objects found on x-rays of the patient were "misleading" and were almost certainly shadows caused by Prussian Blue, used to treat thallium or caesium poisoning, he said. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I seriously don't think this incident will affect UK-Russia relations at all Alicia, Sydney Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY I seriously don't think this incident will affect UK-Russia relations at all Alicia, Sydney Send us your comments |
| Police, who have said they suspected "deliberate poisoning", said there had been no significant developments in the case. | Police, who have said they suspected "deliberate poisoning", said there had been no significant developments in the case. |
| Mr Litvinenko's friend Alex Goldfarb said: "I have seen Alexander through the window, he is heavily sedated, and he is on a ventilator because overnight he went into a heart failure, although the doctor said that his heart is not damaged. | Mr Litvinenko's friend Alex Goldfarb said: "I have seen Alexander through the window, he is heavily sedated, and he is on a ventilator because overnight he went into a heart failure, although the doctor said that his heart is not damaged. |
| "The situation could get better but his chances are obviously decreased now because while he is on this ventilator machine it would be much more difficult to speak about his bone marrow transplant which until today was a major problem for the doctors." | "The situation could get better but his chances are obviously decreased now because while he is on this ventilator machine it would be much more difficult to speak about his bone marrow transplant which until today was a major problem for the doctors." |
| Putin criticism | Putin criticism |
| Mr Litvinenko fled to the UK in 2000, claiming persecution in Russia, and was granted asylum. He is understood to have taken British citizenship this year. | Mr Litvinenko fled to the UK in 2000, claiming persecution in Russia, and was granted asylum. He is understood to have taken British citizenship this year. |
| Initial reports said Mr Litvinenko was poisoned with the heavy metal thallium, and the theory that some form of radioactive material was used has also been suggested. | Initial reports said Mr Litvinenko was poisoned with the heavy metal thallium, and the theory that some form of radioactive material was used has also been suggested. |
| But doctors are now dismissing both of these explanations. | |
| Both the Kremlin and Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, have denied any part in poisoning Mr Litvinenko, who is a former security agent with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). | Both the Kremlin and Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, have denied any part in poisoning Mr Litvinenko, who is a former security agent with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). |