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Alexander Litvinenko murder suspect to cooperate with public inquiry Alexander Litvinenko murder suspect to cooperate with public inquiry
(about 4 hours later)
One of the two men accused of murdering Alexander Litvinenko, the Russian spy who died of radiation poisoning in London in 2006, is set to give evidence next month to the public inquiry into the dissident’s death after agreeing to cooperate with the process. One of the two men accused of murdering Alexander Litvinenko, the Russian spy who died of radiation poisoning in London in 2006, is set to give evidence next month to the public inquiry into the dissident’s death after agreeing to cooperate with the process. Dmitry Kovtun, who is accused of importing the polonium-210 allegedly slipped into Litvinenko’s tea at a Mayfair hotel, has been given core participant status at the inquiry, a statement from its chairman, Sir Robert Owen, said.
Dmitry Kovtun, who is accused of importing the polonium-210 allegedly slipped into Litvinenko’s tea at a Mayfair hotel, has been given core participant status at the inquiry, a statement from its chairman, Sir Robert Owen, said. In an unexpected move in March, Kovtun wrote to the inquiry offering to give video evidence from Moscow. Both Kovtun and his fellow accused, Andrei Lugovoi, now an ultra-nationalist politician, had previously said they would boycott the process set up by the home secretary, Theresa May. Both deny any wrongdoing. Lugovoi has stated that he will maintain the right to avoid self-incrimination when answering questions or providing documents, the inquiry statement added.
In an unexpected move in March, Kovtun wrote to the inquiry offering to give video evidence from Moscow. Both Kovtun and his fellow accused, Andrei Lugovoi, now an ultra-nationalist politician, had previously said they would boycott the process set up by the home secretary, Theresa May. Both deny any wrongdoing. Owen, a high court judge, subsequently ruled that Kovtun would be allowed to participate if he provided a detailed witness statement by 22 May, disclosed material that he has previously said in interviews would exonerate himself and Lugovoi, and confirmed that he would cooperate in giving evidence.
Owen, a high court judge, subsequently ruled that Kovtun would be allowed to participate if he provided a detailed witness statement by 22 May, disclosed material he has previously said in interviews would exonerate himself and Lugovoi, aand confirmed he would cooperate in giving evidence.
Lugovoi has stated he will maintain the right to avoid self-incrimination when answering questions or providing documents, the inquiry statement added.
“Sir Robert is satisfied that Mr Kovtun has complied in full with his directions dated 2 April 2015,” it said. Kovtun has promised to give evidence from Moscow on a date to be determined by the inquiry, most likely towards the end of next month.“Sir Robert is satisfied that Mr Kovtun has complied in full with his directions dated 2 April 2015,” it said. Kovtun has promised to give evidence from Moscow on a date to be determined by the inquiry, most likely towards the end of next month.
Direct evidence from a man repeatedly and strongly linked with the murder is likely to prove among the more dramatic moments of a process already rich in grisly and fantastical detail. Direct evidence from a man repeatedly and strongly linked with the murder is likely to prove among the more dramatic moments of a process already rich in grisly detail. The inquiry has already heard that Litvinenko himself believed that Vladimir Putin personally authorised his murder, as he told police from his hospital bed where he lay dying from radiation poisoning. Kovtun and Lugovoi, both former KGB agents, are accused of killing Litvinenko by putting polonium in his green tea during a meeting with him on 1 November 2006 at the Millennium hotel in central London.
The inquiry has already heard that Litvinenko himself believed Vladimir Putin personally authorised his murder, as he told police from his hospital bed where he lay dying from radiation poisoning.
Kovtun and Lugovoi, both former KGB agents, are accused of killing Litvinenko by putting the polonium in his green tea during a meeting with him on 1 November 2006 at the Millennium hotel in central London.
Ben Emmerson QC, acting for Litvinenko’s widow Marina told the inquiry it was beyond any reasonable doubt that the men were the murderers. The Crown Prosecution Service has charged them both with murder and issued an international arrest warrant. Putin has refused to extradite them.Ben Emmerson QC, acting for Litvinenko’s widow Marina told the inquiry it was beyond any reasonable doubt that the men were the murderers. The Crown Prosecution Service has charged them both with murder and issued an international arrest warrant. Putin has refused to extradite them.
Kovtun, the inquiry was told, flew to Hamburg days before the meeting with Litvinenko, seemingly to collect the poison. German detectives found traces of radiation in his former wife’s home, where he stayed, including on a teddy bear belonging to one of her children. Kovtun, the inquiry was told, flew to Hamburg days before the meeting with Litvinenko, seemingly to collect the poison. German detectives found traces of radiation in his former wife’s home, where he stayed, including on a teddy bear belonging to one of her children. Other evidence came via a former colleague in a Hamburg restaurant who said Kovtun talked about seeking a cook in London who could put “very expensive poison” he was carrying into food or drink. High readings of polonium were also found in Kovtun’s bedroom at the Millennium hotel.
Other evidence came via a former colleague in a Hamburg restaurant who said Kovtun talked about seeking a cook in London who could put “very expensive poison” he was carrying into food or drink. High readings of polonium were also found in Kovtun’s bedroom at the Millennium hotel. The hearing has already heard written evidence from an interview with Kovtun in Moscow in December 2006, in which he acknowledged meeting Litvinenko but denied any involvement in his death. The inquiry continues.
The hearing has already heard written evidence from an interview with Kovtun in Moscow in December 2006, in which he acknowledged meeting Litvinenko but denied any involvement in his death.
The inquiry continues.