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Ex-Russian spy dies in hospital Ex-Russian spy dies in hospital
(30 minutes later)
Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has died in hospital three weeks after apparently being poisoned in London.Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has died in hospital three weeks after apparently being poisoned in London.
Mr Litvinenko, 43, had been critically ill in intensive care at University College Hospital after suffering a heart attack on Wednesday night. University College Hospital, London, said Mr Litvinenko had died at 2121 GMT on Thursday and the cause of his condition was still being investigated.
Friends of Mr Litvinenko have claimed he was poisoned because of his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin - Russia has denied this. Friends have said the 43-year-old was poisoned because of his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin - Russia has denied any involvement.
Scotland Yard said they were now investigating "an unexplained death".Scotland Yard said they were now investigating "an unexplained death".
DefectorDefector
A hospital spokesman said: "Every avenue was explored to establish the cause of his condition and the matter is now an ongoing investigation being dealt with by detectives from New Scotland Yard. A hospital spokesman said: "Every avenue was explored to establish the cause of [Mr Litvinenko's] condition and the matter is now an ongoing investigation being dealt with by detectives from New Scotland Yard.
"Because of this we will not be commenting any further on this matter. "Because of this we will not be commenting any further on this matter. Our thoughts are with Mr Litvinenko's family."
"Our thoughts are with Mr Litvinenko's family." Mr Litvinenko, who defected to the UK in 2000 and was later granted asylum and citizenship, was apparently poisoned on November 1.
Mr Litvinenko, a defector to Britain who was granted asylum and citizenship, was apparently poisoned on November 1. Thallium theory
He was admitted to University College Hospital on 17 November. His condition deteriorated after he suffered a heart attack overnight on Wednesday.
Initial reports from the hospital said Mr Litvinenko had been poisoned with the heavy metal thallium, but later it was suggested that some form of radioactive material may have been used.
Head of critical care at the hospital, Dr Geoff Bellingan, has subsequently dismissed both of these explanations.
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.
Asylum
Before Mr Litvinenko's death, police said they suspected "deliberate poisoning".
Investigations are examining two meetings, one at a London hotel with a former KGB agent and another man, and a later rendezvous with Italian security consultant Mario Scaramella at a sushi restaurant in London's West End.
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.
He had been investigating the murder of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya.He had been investigating the murder of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya.
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).