Britain to revisit Russian dissident's poisoning

Marina Litvinenko, the widow of former Russian intelligence officer Alexander Litvinenko, speaks during a press conference at her lawyer's offices in London, Tuesday, July 22, 2014.  The British government Tuesday announced plans for a wide-ranging public inquiry into the 2006 death of poisoned ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko. The decision, which comes at a time of rising tensions with Russia, means investigators can look into whether the Russian state played a role in Litvinenko's demise.  (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Marina Litvinenko, the widow of former Russian intelligence officer Alexander Litvinenko, speaks during a press conference at her lawyer's offices in London, Tuesday, July 22, 2014. The British government Tuesday announced plans for a wide-ranging public inquiry into the 2006 death of poisoned ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko. The decision, which comes at a time of rising tensions with Russia, means investigators can look into whether the Russian state played a role in Litvinenko's demise. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

LONDON -- The U.K. announced Tuesday that it will hold a public inquiry into the poisoning of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko in a move that risks adding to tensions with Moscow over events in Ukraine.

Litvinenko, a former Russian spy who lived in London and was an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin, died from a fatal dose of radioactive polonium in 2006. His widow, Marina, had appealed the government's previous decision not to order a judge-led review of his death.

"It is more than seven years since Mr. Litvinenko's death, and this government remains committed to seeking justice for his family," the Home Office said in a statement announcing the inquiry. The poisoning was "an appalling crime and we want to see those responsible prosecuted through the courts," it said.

Home Secretary Theresa May made the decision to hold an official inquiry the day after Prime Minister David Cameron pushed for further sanctions against Russia over Putin's support for separatists in Ukraine.

Litvinenko died after meeting a former Russian intelligence officer at a London hotel. The Russian government has refused a request by British prosecutors to extradite the main suspect, Andrei Lugovoi.

"No matter how strong and powerful you are, truth will win out in the end and you will be held accountable for your crimes," the BBC cited Marina Litvinenko as saying. "I look forward to the day when the truth behind my husband's murder is revealed for the whole world to see."

The independent review will be led by Robert Owen, a senior judge and current coroner for the inquest into Litvinenko's death, the Home Office said.

Cameron's spokesman, Jean-Christophe Gray, said there is no connection between the push for more sanctions against Russia over Ukraine and the decision to hold the inquiry, which will start July 31 and aims to complete a final report by the end of next year.

"There isn't a link whatsoever," Gray said, adding that the probe was announced Tuesday because it is the last day before Parliament's summer recess.

A Section on 07/23/2014

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