28/11/2006

Locations tested in radiation search

Police investigating the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko have discovered traces of the poison that killed him in three other locations in London.

Traces of the radioactive substance polonium 210 were found in the Mayfair offices of exiled Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky, as well as offices at 7 Down Street and the headquarters of a security company, visited by Mr Litvinenko, at 25 Grosvenor Street. Tests have now been carried out at both locations.

Traces of polonium 210 had previously been found at the Itsu sushi bar in Piccadilly and the Millennium Hotel in Grosvenor Square, both places that Mr Litvinenko visited on November 1 - the day that he fell ill.

Traces were also found at the Russian's home in Muswell Hill in north London.

Anyone who visited the same locations as Mr Litvinenko on the day he fell ill or had any contact with him have been asked to contact NHS Direct. More than 450 people have come forward so far and 18 cases have been followed up. Three people have been sent to a specialist clinic for radiological tests.

On Tuesday, it emerged that Mario Scaramella, who met with Mr Litvinenko at the Itsu sushi bar has returned to the UK from Italy. Police are to interview him as a potential witness. He will also be tested for radiation contamination.

Mr Litvinenko died last Thursday and a "major dose" of polonium 210 was found in his body.

Friends of the former KGB agent have suggested that he was poisoned because he was a fierce critic of Mr Putin's government.

He was also investigating the death of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, another critic of Putin's regime who was shot dead near her apartment in Moscow last month, at the time he fell ill.

Before his death, Mr Litvinenko had accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of his murder. The allegation was denied by the Kremlin and Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, also denied any involvement.

Counter-terrorism officers from Scotland Yard are investigating Mr Litvinenko's death, which they have described as "suspicious".

A post-mortem is due to be held on Mr Litvinenko's body once a risk assessment has been carried out in order to ensure that it is safe for the examination to take place.

The inquest into his death is due to open on Thursday.

(KMcA)


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