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23/11/2006
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.
Earlier on Thursday, it was revealed that X-rays taken of Mr Litvinenko's intestines had revealed three unusual objects - reportedly the size of 2p pieces - which he had apparently swallowed.
It is not known if these contributed to his illness, but Alex Goldfarb, a friend of Mr Litvinenko's, later told the BBC that doctors said they were 'dark shadows' which they were not concerned about.
He also confirmed that the Russian was on a ventilator because his heart had failed.
However, other reports speculated that the items may have been a possible antidote taken by Mr Litvinenko when he began to fall ill. These were refuted by one of Mr Litvinenko's doctors, Dr Geoff Bellingnan, however. Speaking on Thursday, he said that the shadows on the X-rays were almost certainly caused by Prussian Blue, which is used to treat thallium or caesium poisoning.
Originally it was thought that Mr Litvinenko, who fell ill on November 1 following a meeting at a sushi restaurant in Piccadilly, had been poisoned with thallium.
However it was then believed that he could have been poisoned by a radioactive substance. Both of these have now effectively been ruled out, but Dr Bellingnan said that doctors were still "unclear" as to the cause of Mr Litvinenko's condition.
Officers from Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism unit are investigating the alleged poisoning. Mr Litvinenko is understood to have been investigating the recent murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya at the time he fell ill.
Both the Kremlin and Russia's foreign intelligence service (SVR) gave denied any involvement in the alleged poisoning.
(KMcA/EF)
The 43-year-old remains in intensive care in University College Hospital in London and is understood to be in a "very serious" condition.
Earlier on Thursday, it was revealed that X-rays taken of Mr Litvinenko's intestines had revealed three unusual objects - reportedly the size of 2p pieces - which he had apparently swallowed.
It is not known if these contributed to his illness, but Alex Goldfarb, a friend of Mr Litvinenko's, later told the BBC that doctors said they were 'dark shadows' which they were not concerned about.
He also confirmed that the Russian was on a ventilator because his heart had failed.
However, other reports speculated that the items may have been a possible antidote taken by Mr Litvinenko when he began to fall ill. These were refuted by one of Mr Litvinenko's doctors, Dr Geoff Bellingnan, however. Speaking on Thursday, he said that the shadows on the X-rays were almost certainly caused by Prussian Blue, which is used to treat thallium or caesium poisoning.
Originally it was thought that Mr Litvinenko, who fell ill on November 1 following a meeting at a sushi restaurant in Piccadilly, had been poisoned with thallium.
However it was then believed that he could have been poisoned by a radioactive substance. Both of these have now effectively been ruled out, but Dr Bellingnan said that doctors were still "unclear" as to the cause of Mr Litvinenko's condition.
Officers from Scotland Yard's counter-terrorism unit are investigating the alleged poisoning. Mr Litvinenko is understood to have been investigating the recent murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya at the time he fell ill.
Both the Kremlin and Russia's foreign intelligence service (SVR) gave denied any involvement in the alleged poisoning.
(KMcA/EF)
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03 April 2007
Campaign launched in memory of Alexander Litvinenko
A campaign has been launched by the widow and friends of murdered former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko in his name. The Litvinenko Justice Foundation aims to put pressure on both the British and Russian governments to find those responsible for Mr Litvinenko's death.
Campaign launched in memory of Alexander Litvinenko
A campaign has been launched by the widow and friends of murdered former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko in his name. The Litvinenko Justice Foundation aims to put pressure on both the British and Russian governments to find those responsible for Mr Litvinenko's death.
20 November 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
01 December 2006
Mystery surrounds former Russian Prime Minister's illness
A former Russian acting Prime Minister Yegor Gaidar is being treated in hospital following what may be some form of poisoning. Mr Gaidar, who was premiere for a time under the Boris Yeltsin regime, fell ill during a visit to Dublin last week and was treated at a Dublin hospital before being moved to Russia.
Mystery surrounds former Russian Prime Minister's illness
A former Russian acting Prime Minister Yegor Gaidar is being treated in hospital following what may be some form of poisoning. Mr Gaidar, who was premiere for a time under the Boris Yeltsin regime, fell ill during a visit to Dublin last week and was treated at a Dublin hospital before being moved to Russia.
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