Post date: Jul 12, 2013 5:12:37 PM
The widow of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko who was murdered inLondon says a decision by the British government to turn down a request for a public inquiry into the case is "political".
LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 12, 2013) (ITN) - The widow of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko who was murdered in London said on Friday (July 12) that the British government's decision to reject a public inquiry into the case was "political".
The government turned down a request for a public inquiry into Litvinenko's murder which could have revealed whether Moscow was behind the killing, a coroner announced on Friday.Coroner Robert Owen had asked ministers to hold an inquiry, declaring his own investigation flawed after bowing to ministers' requests for some material to be kept secret which could have shed light on Russia's suspected involvement.
Alexander Litvinenko, 43, died in 2006 after drinking tea poisoned with a rare radioactive isotope, polonium-210, in a plush London hotel. From his deathbed he accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of ordering his murder, a charge Russiahas repeatedly denied.
Anglo-Russian relations deteriorated to a post-Cold War low after British police and prosecutors said there was enough evidence to charge two former KGB agents,Andrei Lugovoy, who denies any involvement, and Dmitry Kovtun, with murder.
Prime Minister David Cameron has made a concerted attempt to mend diplomatic and business ties since coming to power. Litvinenko's family accused Britain of wanting to cover up embarrassing information to protect lucrative trade deals.
"It looks like a very political decision, what happened today," Litvinenko's widow Marina told reporters after the news was broken at a pre-inquest hearing atLondon's High Court. Her lawyers are now seeking a judicial review.
"What happened today was quite rude because (they) sent a letter to coroner just today morning, (they) knew it's going to be session today, it's quite offensive," she said.
Under British law, inquests conducted by coroners are held when a person dies unexpectedly to determine the cause of death.
Owen, a senior judge acting as coroner, agreed in May to keep secret material which, if aired at an inquest, could undermine trust in the British government. He concluded the only way to learn the truth was through a public inquiry which could examine such information in private if needed.