Who Killed Alexander Litvinenko?

Bob Simon Reports On A Real-Life Deadly Spy Mystery

(CBS) 
In the months before his death, Litvinenko needed money; he needed a job and spoke of having found one. What was that job? Litvinenko spoke to Julia Svetlichnaya, a Russian graduate student, who sought out his help on a book she was writing. But what he wanted to talk about were his plans concerning those rich and powerful Russian oligarchs.

"He told me that, at that moment, he’s doing a project for blackmailing one of the Russian oligarchs which resides in UK," Svetlichnaya tells Simon. "He thought that it was actually an o.k. thing to do because this particular person, as Litvinenko claimed, had a connection with the Kremlin, had a connection with Putin. And so in his view it, was o.k. to blackmail him."

Julia said the blackmail scheme didn’t surprise her, given what she knew of Litvinenko’s past. "That’s what he did: gather information on people. So it didn’t sound out of place completely to me, the blackmail story. He mentioned blackmail in a very casual, casual manner. Every time I met him, he somehow told me he needs money. He needs to make a living. He’s got children to feed," she explains.

Marina Litvinenko says she didn’t know what her husband was doing, but that she knew her husband. He was not a blackmailer. "Never, never. Sasha wasn’t a person in this way," she tells Simon.

Julia and Litvinenko met several times last spring. One meeting was in London's Hyde Park. The two walked around for hours, Julia said, because Litvinenko insisted that professionals keep moving so no one can eavesdrop on their conversations.

"I would say that he was interested in talking to anyone who would listen to him," she remembers.

"You describe him as a man who is something of a blowhard," Simon remarks.

"I believe that’s what he was," she says.

She also thinks he was exaggerating his own importance and that he wanted everybody to take him seriously.

"The bottom line is that it’s hard to see any reason for Litvinenko to be killed for his own sake. Litvinenko was not a big player," says Mark Galeotti, who knows the players.

He met Litvenenko and knows many other Russians in that shadowy world. A former advisor to the British Foreign Office, NATO and American intelligence agencies, Galeotti now studies Russian intelligence and organized crime at Keele University.

"There are many ways to kill a man. Using an obscure radioactive isotope is a rather uncommon way. Why do you think this way was chosen?" Simon asks.

"Essentially it’s because of the theater of assassination. If all you want to do is silence someone, then you push them under a bus, you arrange an apparent mugging that’s gone wrong, or something like that," Galeotti says. "If you’re going to carry out a killing using a radioactive isotope like this, you want it to be a big story."

Galeotti believes there was a message in the method of the murder. "It’s clearly a warning to the exiled who clearly have aligned themselves against the current regime in Russia, in many cases," he explains.

The warning carried a lot of weight: a radioactive corpse in a lead-lined coffin. The man inside may have been just a pawn caught up in a struggle between larger forces. And that could be the ultimate tragedy of Alexander Litvinenko: that he had to die to get the attention and the dignity which had always escaped him when he was alive.

[pullmyfinger]

Here come the vultures!
From: [e-mail] [Add to Address Book]
To: undisclosed-recipients@null, null@null
Subject: hello dear
Date: Mar 18, 2009 4:45 AM
Dear beloved,

It is my pleasure to share this message with you. Do take this mission as a contribution to fate. This is not an easy task and that is the main reason why I contacted you.

Please do not be offended. I will understand completely if you cannot be of assistance or interested. I am Mrs.Marina Litvinenko, wife of Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian security officer who died in a London hospital after apparently being poisoned with the highly-toxic metal Polonium 210 by Mr Lugovoi, a Russian Government Paid agent.

You can read articles about my Husband's ordeal via the websites below:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/05/60minutes/main2333207.shtml
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/05/60minutes/main2333207_page2.shtml#ccmm
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/05/60minutes/main2333207_page3.shtml

Please I want you to assist in donating and distributing these funds to charity in your region on behalf of my Late Husband and my Humbleself, I shall be
presenting the said funds Four, five hundred thousand UK pounds
(4.5MGBP) to you which was given to my Late husband before his death by Mr
Berezovsky, A Russian Billionaire, Who he saved his life by exposing the plot
against him. It is the wish of my husband before his death to help and fight for
Humanity on the process he was murdered. This is why I want to distribute this
out for Humanitarian Work.

The Funds are deposited in a suspense account with a Financial firm in London
and I will personally put you in charge of this great exercise and you are to use your
discretion to distribute this funds to those who really needs help ( Widows, Less Privilege,
Motherless Babies, Destitute, and building a Shelter for the homeless, in
general , Litvinenko Justice Foundation) .
As i come to realize that all things are vanity when you are not helping others.
If verily you are interested and reliable, i will furnish you more details with
100% risk free guarantee. kindly get back to me in my private email: [e-mail]

Best Regards,
Mrs. Marina Litvinenko

[zigfeldlr]

I agree with TheSoddy. My blog has raised numerous serious concerns about Svetlichnaya's credibility and motivations; I'm shocked and disappointed that 60 Minutes didn't at least warn unwary viewers about her possible conflict of interest and the charges that have been leveled at her, as being an agent of the Kremlin. It's also very disappointing that she wasn't required to explain why she was interviewing Litvinenko, he has nothing to do with her dissertation.

Here are the three links to read more about the problems involving Julia:

http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2006/12/kremlins-litvinenko-disinformation.html
http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2006/12/annals-of-blogosphere-svetlichnaya-saga.html
http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2007/01/update-on-svetlichnaya-fraud.html

[zigfeldlr]

I agree with TheSoddy. My blog has raised numerous serious concerns about Svetlichnaya's credibility and motivations; I'm shocked and disappointed that 60 Minutes didn't at least warn unwary viewers about her possible conflict of interest and the charges that have been leveled at her, as being an agent of the Kremlin. It's also very disappointing that she wasn't required to explain why she was interviewing Litvinenko, he has nothing to do with her dissertation.

Here are the three links to read more about the problems involving Julia:

http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2006/12/kremlins-litvinenko-disinformation.html
http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2006/12/annals-of-blogosphere-svetlichnaya-saga.html
http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2007/01/update-on-svetlichnaya-fraud.html

[zigfeldlr]

I agree with TheSoddy. My blog has raised numerous serious concerns about Svetlichnaya's credibility and motivations; I'm shocked and disappointed that 60 Minutes didn't at least warn unwary viewers about her possible conflict of interest and the charges that have been leveled at her, as being an agent of the Kremlin. It's also very disappointing that she wasn't required to explain why she was interviewing Litvinenko, he has nothing to do with her dissertation.

Here are the three links to read more about the problems involving Julia:

http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2006/12/kremlins-litvinenko-disinformation.html
http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2006/12/annals-of-blogosphere-svetlichnaya-saga.html
http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2007/01/update-on-svetlichnaya-fraud.html

[zigfeldlr]

I agree with TheSoddy. My blog has raised numerous serious concerns about Svetlichnaya's credibility and motivations; I'm shocked and disappointed that 60 Minutes didn't at least warn unwary viewers about her possible conflict of interest and the charges that have been leveled at her, as being an agent of the Kremlin. It's also very disappointing that she wasn't required to explain why she was interviewing Litvinenko, he has nothing to do with her dissertation.

Here are the three links to read more about the problems involving Julia:

http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2006/12/kremlins-litvinenko-disinformation.html
http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2006/12/annals-of-blogosphere-svetlichnaya-saga.html
http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2007/01/update-on-svetlichnaya-fraud.html

[zigfeldlr]

I agree with TheSoddy. My blog has raised numerous serious concerns about Svetlichnaya's credibility and motivations; I'm shocked and disappointed that 60 Minutes didn't at least warn unwary viewers about her possible conflict of interest and the charges that have been leveled at her, as being an agent of the Kremlin. It's also very disappointing that she wasn't required to explain why she was interviewing Litvinenko, he has nothing to do with her dissertation.

Here are the three links to read more about the problems involving Julia:

http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2006/12/kremlins-litvinenko-disinformation.html
http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2006/12/annals-of-blogosphere-svetlichnaya-saga.html
http://russophobe.blogspot.com/2007/01/update-on-svetlichnaya-fraud.html

[kvgt]

Alexander Litvinenko, like the other former for-hire KGB-FBS agents and dissidents in Boris Berezovsky's entourage, was a pathetic pawn. His alleged death bed accusation that Vladimir Putin and his FSB were responsible for his assassination was propagandized by members of Berezovsky's entourage and sensationalized by the media.

The media indicted Vladimir Putin, the FSB and Andrei Lugovoi without a shred of evidence.

A case in point is the Moscow Times, whose editor, adherring to editorial bias, witheld crucial evidence that would have vindicated Mr. Lugovoi, preferring instead to tout the anti-Kremlin. The evidence that was deliberately omitted proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mr. Litvinenko could not have identifed Mr. Lugovoi as his assassin was provided by me to Catherine Belton, a staff writer with the Moscow Times. In emails to me, Ms. Belton apologized profusely for her editor's refusal to allow her to use the evidence that she viewed as "dreadfully important" in vindicating Mr. Lugovoi.

Journalistic ethics were discarded, thrown to the wind, preferring sensationalized, fabricated opinion over fact.

For democracy to thrive, a well informed public is essential. It is not enough to have a free media. The media has an ethical obligation to present balanced, objective reporting free of editorial bias. Knowingly omitting crucial evidenceis an egregious violation of ethics no matter how it is sliced.

[rsnew13]

Sorry, I know that this is petty, but I made at least one spelling mistake that I've noticed after the fact. Ooops! In the bigger scope of things, I hope it doesn't take away from the bigger picture.

....
The seriousness of this crime carries a lot of weight and it directly and indirectly involves all countries.
It is truely frightening as to what this really means.

[rsnew13]

cbgb31, you are mistakened if you think Americans are not interested. I have been following this story since it broke.
The people involved are big players and the games that they play are very real and the consequences are grave.
I am curious to see if Britain and Russia are really going to go the distance and get to the bottom of things? As I hear that it has strained relationships between Russia and Britain. And as they (Britain) dig deeper, the trail of where the poison has been or where it comes from has grown i.e. Germany.
The seriousnous of this crime carries a lot of weight and it directly and indirectly involves all countries.
It is truely frightening as to what this really means.

[thesoddy]

Enjoyed the story very much! I would be interested in how the 'stuff' ended up in the other places and on the people mentioned in the show!?! Furthermore, I would be interested in more information on the 'stuff' (i.e., does it have to be taken internally to be deadly, if it's on the skin can it be 'washed' off, etc...). I think a 'follow-up' show to this one concerning these types of issues would be great!!

[maroussia-2009]

To much attention is paided to Miss Svetlichnaja, who is basicaly a liar. For instance she told to the Observer that once Litvinenko drove her to the the station and showed her how to "get rid of the tail". In fact it is a thing well known that Litvinenko didn't have a driving licence and was himself driven either by his wife or by Akhmed Zakaev's son or employee. See the testimony of Litvinenko neighbours:
Nima Toserkani, 17, said: "He was cheerful, happy, lively. He minded his own business. He would play with the kids round there. He would always get driven round by a guy with a Mercedes who lives over there."
http://www.muswellhilljournal24.co.uk/content/haringey/
muswellhilljournal/news/story.aspx?
brand=MHJOnline&category=news&t
Brand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsmhj&itemid=
WeED29%20Nov%202006%2013%3A21%3A15%3A450

[maroussia-2009]

To much attention is paided to Miss Svetlichnaja, who is basicaly a liar. For instance she told to the Observer that once Litvinenko drove her to the the station and showed her how to "get rid of the tail". In fact it is a thing well known that Litvinenko didn't have a driving licence and was himself driven either by his wife or by Akhmed Zakaev's son or employee. See the testimony of Litvinenko neighbours:
Nima Toserkani, 17, said: "He was cheerful, happy, lively. He minded his own business. He would play with the kids round there. He would always get driven round by a guy with a Mercedes who lives over there."
http://www.muswellhilljournal24.co.uk/content/haringey/
muswellhilljournal/news/story.aspx?
brand=MHJOnline&category=news&t
Brand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsmhj&itemid=
WeED29%20Nov%202006%2013%3A21%3A15%3A450

[Martin Pion]

"A little known radioactive isotope called polonium 210. Tasteless, odorless and lethal, a tiny speck is all it takes to kill." That was the description in tonight's "60 Minutes" piece as to what killed Alexander Litvinenko. What 60 Minutes reporters don't appear to know is that this "little known radioactive isotope" appears among the "50 cancer-causing chemicals in secondhand tobacco smoke," according to the latest USDHHS report on the subject, on-line at http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/secondhandsmoke/factsheets/factsheet9.html ["The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services."] This has been known since at least the 1986 USSG's report on the same subject [see page 132, Chapter 3, on-line at http://tinyurl.com/4s2uw ].

[alamo81]

this is a place for debate-not whining about what news org you dont like --

this is news simply because its a first--

[cbgb31]

What keeps this story alive in this country the Russian immigrants. Americans don't care about Russian news the names are too confusing.

[niklasb-2009]

Julia has been exposed by the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten (one of the most respected papers in Norway) as probably being a Russian spy. In this article (in Norwegian) http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article1560202.ece
they show that she has been employed as information officer by a dubious firm called Russian Investors. When Aftenposten pointed this out to Julia she was quickly removed from the website for Russian Investors.

[niklasb-2009]

Julia has been exposed by the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten (one of the most respected papers in Norway) as probably being a Russian spy. In this article (in Norwegian) http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article1560202.ece
they show that she has been employed as information officer by a dubious firm called Russian Investors. When Aftenposten pointed this out to Julia she was quickly removed from the website for Russian Investors.

[abra-ham]

I wish 60 Minutes would just stick to spreading one kind of propaganda. Their pro-Israel *** is bad enough as it is.

abraham
The Hypocalypse

[abra-ham]

I wish 60 Minutes would just stick to spreading one kind of propaganda. Their pro-Israel *** is bad enough as it is.

abraham
The Hypocalypse

[lkomisar]

Poisoned Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko appears to have been involved in collecting information about Alexei Golubovich, a longtime associate of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, former head of the Russian oil company, Yukos. Khodorkovsky is in jail in Russia for tax evasion. Golubovich was a top official of Yukos from 1992 to 2000 and is under house arrest in Italy at the request of Russia which has charged him with fraud and embezzlement.

It has already been reported that Litvinenko was collecting information on corrupt Russian business people to use to blackmail them. It has also been reported that Litvinenko had been collaborating with another ex-Soviet intelligence agent, Yevgeny Limarev. It has not been reported before the story linked below that Limarev in 2005 went to see Elena Collongues-Popova, who had worked for Golubovich, to ask about bribes that her former boss might have paid to Lithuanian officials to get control of the state-owned Maziekiu Nafta oil refinery. So add Golubovich to the list of people who might have wanted Litvinenko dead.

See the full story below.

Lucy Komisar
lucykomisar (at) thekomisarscoop.com

The full story is here: http://thekomisarscoop.com/2006/12/27/poisoned-russian-linked-to-investigation-of-possible-bribes-by-ex-yukos-official/