#dmitry kovtun

[descrier]

Putin 'probably' approved Litvinenko murder, concludes inquiry

The 2006 murder of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko was “probably” organised by Moscow’s FSB intelligence service and approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin, a public inquiry has concluded.

[newsdock]

Litvinenko suspect a no-show at UK poisoning inquiry

A Russian wanted in Britain over the death of ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko will not appear before an inquiry into his poisoning, the probe heard Tuesday, dealing it a setback days before its conclusion. After several days of uncertainty, Dmitry Kovtun failed to give evidence via video link from Moscow to the inquiry at London's High Court by a 1000 GMT deadline set by its chairman. Underlining his absence, the video link to Moscow was briefly activated, showing an empty chair. http://dlvr.it/BgFWZ2

[voiceofarewa]

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Litvinenko inquiry: Key suspect will not testify

Dmitry Kovtun is one of two men British authorities believe poisoned Alexander Litvinenko

A key suspect in an inquiry in London into the death of the former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko has told the BBC he will not give evidence.

Dmitry Kovtun is one of two men British authorities believe poisoned Mr Litvinenko with radioactive polonium at a London hotel in 2006.

He said he had been unable to get permission from Russian authorities to give evidence.

Mr Kovtun, who denies involvement, was due to appear by videolink from Moscow.

But he said he needed permission because testifying would risk violating an obligation of confidentiality to a Russian investigation into Mr Litvinenko’s death.

Russian probe

It was during a meeting with Mr Kovtun and his co-accused Andrei Lugovoi that Mr Litvinenko drank tea containing a fatal dose of the radioactive substance polonium-210.

The 43-year-old had been an officer with the Federal Security Service – the successor to the KGB – but fled to Britain where he became a UK citizen and fierce critic of the Kremlin.

Speaking to the BBC in Moscow, former Soviet army officer Mr Kovtun said he had been unable to contact the relevant Russian investigator.

“Even if the investigator, who I have not been able to reach, gave me permission he would still have to make a decision on how much information I could disclose,” he added.

Mr Kovtun dismissed the suggestion he was never serious about giving evidence.

If British authorities contact investigators in Moscow on his behalf, he said they could still get permission for him to testify at a later date.

But the BBC’s Moscow correspondent Sarah Rainsford said that seems unlikely as the inquiry has already been delayed from the spring – specifically to allow Mr Kovtun to take part.

‘Too much time’

On Friday, the Royal Courts of Justice in London heard Mr Kovtun had emailed to say he felt bound by obligations of confidentiality.

At the time, Robin Tam QC, counsel to the inquiry, said: “There’s a very strong argument for saying they’ve had far too much time already.”

And Richard Horwell QC, for the Metropolitan Police, said Mr Kovtun’s actions did not come as “any surprise”.

“It appears Kovtun’s request to give evidence was nothing more than an attempt to become a core participant and obtain as much information about these proceedings as he could,” he said.

Mr Kovtun denied that claim on Monday.

A lawyer for Mr Litvinenko’s widow claimed Mr Kovtun’s actions implied he was guilty of her husband’s murder, along with Mr Lugovoi, who also denies involvement.

The Litvinenko case

23 Nov 2006 – Mr Litvinenko dies three weeks after having tea with former agents Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun in London

24 Nov 2006 – His death is attributed to polonium-210

22 May 2007 – Britain’s director of public prosecutions decides Mr Lugovoi should be charged with the murder of Mr Litvinenko

31 May 2007 – Mr Lugovoi denies any involvement in his death but says Mr Litvinenko was a British spy

5 Jul 2007 – Russia officially refuses to extradite Mr Lugovoi, saying its constitution does not allow it

May-June 2013 – Inquest into Mr Litvinenko’s death delayed as coroner decides a public inquiry would be preferable, as it would be able to hear some evidence in secret

July 2013 – Ministers rule out public inquiry

Jan 2014 – Marina Litvinenko in High Court fight to force a public inquiry

11 Feb 2014 – High Court says the Home Office had been wrong to rule out an inquiry before the outcome of an inquest

July 2014 – Public inquiry announced by Home Office

Source: LEADERSHIP (4)