International   

Polonium found at the office of Putin opponent

Hasan Suroor

Russian tycoon in U.K. claims he is on the "hit list"

LONDON: In a new twist to the police investigations into the mysterious death of the former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko here last week, traces of the radioactive material, polonium 210, have been found in the London offices of the controversial Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky.

It is the same substance that is suspected to have caused the poisoning which killed Litvinenko, a former employee of Mr. Berezovsky and his close ally in his campaign against the Russian Government.

Mr. Berezovsky was reported to be shaken as his offices in the fashionable Mayfair area were sealed off after the discovery of what the police described as a "significant quantity'' of polonium 210.

Deeply shocked

A friend of Mr. Berezovksy was quoted as saying that he was "extremely nervous''. "He is deeply shocked by Alexander Litvinenko's death and fears he could be next,'' the unnamed friend told The Daily Telegraph.

Mr. Berezovsky, who claims that he is on Moscow's "hit list'' because of his outspoken criticism of the Putin administration, declined to comment on the discovery of polonium 210 at his property.

A highly controversial figure in Russian émigré circles, Mr. Berezoksky is one of the richest Russians in Britain. He was given asylum here after he fell out with the Russian Government over his allegedly murky business deals. He had been in close contact with Litvinenko and spearheaded the media campaign alleging that Moscow was behind the death of Litvinenko.

Traces of polonium 210 have also been found at a number of other addresses, including the offices of a security firm, a restaurant and a hotel which Litvinenko visited before he fell ill.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Norway: yet to receive any communication
Norway must clarify stand: Colombo
Japan sets terms for six-party talks
Polonium found at the office of Putin opponent
Pope backs Turkey's bid for E.U. membership
Quebec recognised as "nation within Canada"
Rise of exotic degrees
To end back pain at work
Tutankhamun's fall
Darfur role to continue: China
New Chinese satellite
For presumed peace, from India

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu