KGB Killing: Who Poisoned Alexander Litvinenko? (True Crime Documentary) | Real Stories

Real Stories2 minutes read

Russia's covert operations continue despite allegations of interference, with military forces invading Ukraine and rumors of dark influence. Litvinenko was poisoned with thallium and polonium-210, implicating Russian Secret Service and President Vladimir Putin in a state-sponsored assassination, leading to investigations and suspicions surrounding Lugovoy and Kovtun's involvement.

Insights

  • Alexander Litvinenko, a former KGB officer, was poisoned with thallium and polonium-210, implicating Russian Secret Service and President Vladimir Putin in a state-sponsored assassination.
  • Scotland Yard's investigation into Litvinenko's murder, focusing on tracing the polonium trail, identified Lugovoy and Kovtun as suspects, leading to extradition attempts and political immunity challenges.

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Recent questions

  • Who was Alexander Litvinenko?

    A former KGB officer poisoned in London.

  • What was the significance of Mario Scaramella in the case?

    A person of interest due to polonium exposure.

  • What were the findings of Litvinenko's autopsy?

    Fatal levels of polonium confirmed as cause of death.

  • Who were Lugovoy and Kovtun in the case?

    Suspects linked to polonium traces in hotel room.

  • What were the implications of washing items twice in the case?

    Discovery of polonium traces in teapot, implicating Lugovoy.

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Summary

00:00

Russian covert operations: Litvinenko's unsolved poisoning case.

  • Russia's covert operations continue despite allegations of interference, with military forces invading Ukraine and rumors of dark influence.
  • A decade-old case of a British citizen's murder on British soil using a deadly poison, linked to state-sponsored killing by radioactivity, remains unsolved.
  • Alexander Litvinenko, a former KGB officer, was poisoned with thallium, leading to his hospitalization and eventual death.
  • Litvinenko claimed to have been poisoned by Vladimir Putin's orders, revealing his former KGB rank and connections.
  • Litvinenko's contact, an MI6 officer named Martin, confirmed his identity and role as an advisor on Russian organized crime.
  • Litvinenko's background in the KGB and his refusal to carry out orders led to his arrest and subsequent escape to London.
  • Litvinenko's decline and eventual death were attributed to polonium-210 poisoning, a rare and highly toxic substance.
  • The investigation into Litvinenko's murder focused on tracing the polonium trail in London and identifying the assassin.
  • Litvinenko implicated Russian Secret Service and President Vladimir Putin in his poisoning, pointing to a state-sponsored assassination.
  • Scotland Yard's efforts to determine how the polonium was brought into the UK and identify the assassin intensified, with a focus on Putin's potential involvement.

22:31

"Polonium Poisoning: The Litvinenko Investigation"

  • The special dinner is planned for the first of November, marking six years since arriving in the UK.
  • Mario suggests a quiet restaurant near Bond Street for an important meeting.
  • Mario appears nervous and talks rapidly, hinting at the meeting's significance.
  • Scotland Yard investigates suspicions at Itsu restaurant due to alpha radiation indications.
  • Mario Scaramella becomes a person of interest due to his exposure to polonium.
  • Scaramella's hotel stay is confirmed uncontaminated, distancing him from the case.
  • Traces of polonium are linked to Litvinenko's lunch with Scaramella and others.
  • Lugovoy and Kovtun are suspected of involvement, with polonium traces found in their hotel room.
  • Litvinenko's autopsy reveals fatal levels of polonium, confirming his cause of death.
  • Scotland Yard's Moscow trip to interview suspects faces obstacles, including a canceled interview and suspected poisoning of team members.

44:25

"Litvinenko Poisoning: Missing Evidence, Extradition Denied"

  • The Scotland Yard team returned to London with evidence tapes, including interviews, but discovered a crucial recording of Lugovoy's interview was missing.
  • Alexander Litvinenko, poisoned by Lugovoy and Kovtun, was buried in Highgate Cemetery, with police suspecting the Millennium Hotel as the poisoning site.
  • Expert advice suggested washing items twice to remove polonium traces, leading to the discovery of contamination in a teapot, implicating Lugovoy.
  • The Crown Prosecution Service sought Lugovoy's extradition for murder, but he denied the allegations and gained immunity as a member of Russia's Parliament.
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