20/11/2006

Poisoned former KGB man remains in serious condition

A former KGB colonel remains in a serious condition in a London hospital after being poisoned with toxic chemical thallium.

Alexander Litvinenko, 44, an outspoken critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin, is believed to have fallen ill after attending a meeting with a contact in a sushi bar in Piccadilly on November 1.

It is understood that the former KGB colonel, who came to Britain six years ago, was investigating the recent murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya and he claimed that he met with a contact who provided him with documents containing names of people who may have been involved in her murder.

Mr Litvinenko fell ill after this meeting, becoming seriously ill two weeks later. He is being treated at University College Hospital in London, where he is reportedly under armed guard. On Monday it was reported that he had been returned to intensive care as a precaution after his condition deteriorated slightly. According to reports, he has been given a 50/50 chance of surviving the next four weeks.

Scotland Yard confirmed that they were making "extensive inquiries" during their investigation into the poisoning, including interviews, toxicology tests and studying CCTV footage.

A spokesman for the Kremlin has dismissed claims that the Russian secret service was responsible for poisoning Mr Litvinenko.

Thallium is an odorless and tasteless chemical and was used in the past as both a rat poison and ant killer. However, it is no longer used in a number of countries because of safety concerns.

It has several industrial uses, including the manufacture of optical glass, low-temperature thermometers and green fireworks.

Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Hair loss is one of the most distinctive effects of thallium poisoning.

(KMcA)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

23 November 2006
Russian's condition deteriorates in hospital
The condition of Alexander Litvinenko, the former KGB colonel who is believed to have been poisoned, has deteriorated overnight, according to reports. The 43-year-old remains in intensive care in University College Hospital in London and is understood to be in a "very serious" condition.
08 July 2008
Brown's Stance Praised By Litvinenko Widow
The widow of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has commended Prime Minister Gordon Brown for "standing firm" on his demand for the extradition of the main suspect in the assassination of the defector. Marina Litvinenko welcomed Mr Brown's continued "firm" calls for the extradition of Andrei Lugovoi, two years after Mr Litvinenko's poisoning.
22 November 2006
Former KGB man remains seriously ill in hospital
Former KGB colonel Alexander Litvinenko remains seriously ill in hospital after apparently being poisoned, amid claims that he recently received email death threats. On Tuesday, Italian Mario Scaramella said that he met with Mr Litvinenko on November 1, when he first fell ill, and that both had discussed email death threats.
06 June 2014
Three New Babies Reportedly Poisoned At NHS Hospitals
The number of poisoned babies with the bacillus cereus at NHS hospitals has increased to 18, after three new cases came to light. The latest death happened on the 01 June, according to reports. It is understood that most of the babies have been premature and were being treated in neonatal intensive care units in nine different hospitals.
24 November 2006
Radiation tests conducted following Russian's death
Police investigating the death of former KGB colonel Alexander Litvinenko are searching for various locations for radioactive material, after a large dose of radiation was found in his body. Following his death, a "major dose" of polonium-210 was discovered in his body, the Health Protection Agency revealed.