The ECHR has recognized the Russian Federation responsible for the death of Alexander Litvinenko

The European Court of Human Rights has recognized the Russian Federation responsible for the poisoning of former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko in the UK. His widow, Marina Litvinenko, was awarded compensation in amount of €100,000.

The court ruling states that Russia was responsible for poisoning Alexander Litvinenko with radioactive polonium on in the UK in 2006.

The court noted that Russia failed to effectively investigate the case and did not ensure the prosecution of Andrey Lugovoy and Dmitry Kovtun, whom British investigators had identified as the perpetrators of the murder.

The ECHR ordered Russia to pay Litvinenko’s widow Maria Carter (formerly known as Marina Litvinenko) compensation for non-pecuniary damage in the amount of €100,000, as well as €22,500 in legal costs.

Alexander Litvinenko worked for nearly 10 years in the Soviet KGB and later in the Russian FSB, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He subsequently began to criticise the Russian authorities and Vladimir Putin personally. In 2002, Alexander fled to the UK, fearing for his life and the lives of the members of his family. Shortly before his death, he was granted British citizenship.

Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned on November 1, 2006  by the radioactive polonium-210, taking a dose of it with tea in the bar of the Millennium Hotel. Alexander died at University College Hospital in London on November 23, 2006 aged 43. His death led to a deterioration in relations between the Great Britain and Russia.

 

Source: BBC NEWS

Photo: TASS