🇷🇺 Vladimir Putin
Putin murdered my husband Alexander Litvinenko – but I learned to let go of hate
What happened
Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian spy who defected to the UK and worked with MI6, was poisoned with radioactive polonium-210 in 2006. His wife, Marina, believes that Vladimir Putin "probably" approved his murder. The investigation into his death concluded with an open verdict, and his former employer, oligarch Boris Berezovsky, died under suspicious circumstances. Marina's home was also burgled after Berezovsky's death, with possessions taken, which she believes was not a coincidence.
Why it matters
Marina Litvinenko's story highlights the ongoing threat to those who speak out against Vladimir Putin, and the impact of his alleged role in her husband's murder. The case remains a significant international incident, with ongoing implications for Russia's relations with the West. The incident has also led to various adaptations, including a play and a TV drama, which have helped to keep her husband's story in the public eye.
Key facts
- Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned with radioactive polonium-210 in 2006
- His wife, Marina, believes Vladimir Putin "probably" approved his murder
- A 2014 inquest into Berezovsky's death concluded with an open verdict
- Marina's home was burgled after Berezovsky's death
Topics
Publisher evidence used
Reporting attributed to mirror.co.uk. WorldLeadersNews links readers to the publisher and does not present a headline-only item as a full article analysis.
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