Rules of the Russian and European courts responsible for killing the former KGB Spiritvinenko in the UK

Russia was responsible for the assassination of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London in 2006, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found.

Former Russian spy Litvinenko, who frankly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin and went into exile in Britain, died in London in 2006 after being poisoned by a rare radioactive substance.

At a hearing in the UK, in 2016, two Russian men (Andrey Lugovoy and Dmitry Kovtun) deliberately poisoned Litvinenko with polonium-210 in a drink at a hotel in London, leading to painful death. It turned out that

A British investigation led by former High Court judge Sir Robert Owen concluded that the murder was “probably” done with Putin’s approval.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the European Court said, “There was a strong tentative case in which Mr. Lugoboy and Mr. Kobton were acting on behalf of the Russian state when Mr. Litvinenko was poisoned.” Stated.

The court said the Kremlin “could not provide other satisfying and compelling explanations for the case or counter the findings of Britain.”

The court found no evidence that neither man had personal reason to kill Litvinenko and could not access the substance “if he acted for them.” State involvement is “the only plausible explanation that remains,” the findings said.

Russian authorities have always denied Litvinenko’s involvement in death. And Britain was unable to file a criminal procedure because Russia refused to hand over the suspect.

Litvinenko’s widow Marina, who filed a proceeding against ECHR, said it was a “very important day” after the ruling, as the findings highlighted Russia’s “brutal government.”

Marina Litvinenko holds a copy of the report at a press conference at her lawyer’s office after receiving findings on the death of her husband Alexander Litvinenko in London on January 21, 2016. (Carl Court / Getty Images)

“It is important for Russia to take responsibility,” she told Sky News, adding that “don’t give up the fight against this anti-democratic regime in Russia.”

Russian judge Dmitry Dedov, sitting on the ECHR panel, disagreed with his six colleagues on the court’s main ruling.

“I found many flaws in the British investigation and court analysis and raised reasonable doubts about the suspect’s involvement in the addiction and whether they were acting on behalf of the state,” he said. Said.

The court ordered Marina Litvinenko to pay € 100,000 ($ 117,000) for damages and € 22,500 for the cost.

Marina Litvinenko said she wasn’t sure if she would be paid, but she wanted to bring her husband’s death officer to trial in Britain.

PA and Reuters contributed to this report.

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