Menu
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)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
23 May 2007
Talks continue over Litvinenko murder
Diplomatic negotiations are continuing between the UK and Russia in an attempt to secure the extradition of a former KGB officer accused of the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. On Tuesday, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that it has enough evidence to charge Andrey Lugovoy with the murder of Mr Litvinenko.
Talks continue over Litvinenko murder
Diplomatic negotiations are continuing between the UK and Russia in an attempt to secure the extradition of a former KGB officer accused of the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. On Tuesday, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that it has enough evidence to charge Andrey Lugovoy with the murder of Mr Litvinenko.
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.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
