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- Oct 6, 2011
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Alexander Litvinenko before poisoning
After Poisoning
The post-mortem examination of poisoned spy Alexander Litvinenko was "one of the most dangerous ever undertaken in the western world", a pathologist has told the public inquiry into his death.
Dr Nathaniel Cary, a Home Office forensic pathologist, said Mr Litvinenko's radioactive body was "very hazardous" and was transferred to a secure site for tests.
During the post-mortem examination, Dr Cary and his colleagues wore two white suits, protective gloves and specialised hoods, which had air pumped into them through a filter.
Mr Litvinenko, 43, a former Russian spy who is thought to have been working for British secret service MI6 during his time in the UK, died at University College Hospital nearly three weeks after he had consumed tea laced with polonium on November 1 at the Millennium Hotel in London's Grosvenor Square.
Dr Cary told the inquiry: "It has been described as the most dangerous post-mortem examination ever undertaken in the western world and I think that is probably right."
Two men – former KGB bodyguard turned politician Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitri Kovtun – were named as the main suspects in 2007. Both deny any involvement and remain in Russia.
Earlier, a counter-terror officer working on the investigation into the death of the Russian dissident told the inquiry the two main suspects are still wanted for his murder.
Detective Inspector Craig Mascall, who works for Scotland Yard's counter-terror command, has been working on the probe into Mr Litvinenko's poisoning since two days before his death on November 23 2006.
Mr Mascall told the inquiry: "It's still an ongoing criminal investigation. There are still two people wanted for the murder of Mr Litvinenko and that's Mr Lugovoi and Mr Kovtun."
The detective inspector told the inquiry that at its peak there were 100 detectives and 100 uniformed officers working on the investigation.
Source:report24