This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35363782

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Litvinenko inquiry to rule on former Russian spy's killing Litvinenko inquiry to rule on former Russian spy's killing
(about 5 hours later)
The long-awaited findings of a public inquiry into the killing of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko are due to be released by a judge.The long-awaited findings of a public inquiry into the killing of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko are due to be released by a judge.
Mr Litvinenko died aged 43 in London in 2006, days after being poisoned with radioactive polonium-210, which he is believed to have drunk in a cup of tea.Mr Litvinenko died aged 43 in London in 2006, days after being poisoned with radioactive polonium-210, which he is believed to have drunk in a cup of tea.
Two Russian men, Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun, have denied killing him.Two Russian men, Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun, have denied killing him.
The judge will decide whether to name any culprits and whether any elements in the Russian state were responsible.The judge will decide whether to name any culprits and whether any elements in the Russian state were responsible.
BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera says the real issue for the report is whether the trail leads to the heart of the Russian state and even to President Vladimir Putin himself.BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera says the real issue for the report is whether the trail leads to the heart of the Russian state and even to President Vladimir Putin himself.
Long road to the truth for Litvinenko familyLong road to the truth for Litvinenko family
Who was Alexander Litvinenko?Who was Alexander Litvinenko?
A deadly trail of poloniumA deadly trail of polonium
The report may also focus on whether it was specific investigations into links between organised crime and the Kremlin which led to Mr Litvinenko's killing.The report may also focus on whether it was specific investigations into links between organised crime and the Kremlin which led to Mr Litvinenko's killing.
Our correspondent says that if it does point to state responsibility, pressure is likely to grow for the British government to take action against Moscow. I it does point to state responsibility, pressure is likely to grow for the British government to take action against Moscow, our correspondent says.
Speaking ahead of the inquiry's findings, Mr Litvinenko's son, Anatoly, told the BBC: "You want to find out who was behind the murder, who planned it, who commissioned it.Speaking ahead of the inquiry's findings, Mr Litvinenko's son, Anatoly, told the BBC: "You want to find out who was behind the murder, who planned it, who commissioned it.
"That is why state responsibility is important to us.""That is why state responsibility is important to us."
The judge, Sir Robert Owen, heard from 62 witnesses in six months of hearings and was shown secret intelligence evidence about Mr Litvinenko and his links with British intelligence agencies.The judge, Sir Robert Owen, heard from 62 witnesses in six months of hearings and was shown secret intelligence evidence about Mr Litvinenko and his links with British intelligence agencies.
The former officer in Russia's FSB spy agency had fled to the UK in 2000, claiming persecution, and was granted asylum. He gained British citizenship several years later.The former officer in Russia's FSB spy agency had fled to the UK in 2000, claiming persecution, and was granted asylum. He gained British citizenship several years later.
In the years before his death, he had worked as a writer and journalist, becoming a strong critic of the Kremlin.In the years before his death, he had worked as a writer and journalist, becoming a strong critic of the Kremlin.
It is believed he also worked as a consultant for MI6, specialising in Russian organised crime.It is believed he also worked as a consultant for MI6, specialising in Russian organised crime.
A friend said there was personal animosity between Mr Litvinenko and Mr Putin.A friend said there was personal animosity between Mr Litvinenko and Mr Putin.
"They disliked each other immensely, because Litvinenko complained about corruption… and Putin shelved his report," Alex Goldfarb said."They disliked each other immensely, because Litvinenko complained about corruption… and Putin shelved his report," Alex Goldfarb said.
"And Putin considered Litvinenko, after the fact, a traitor for going public with his allegations.""And Putin considered Litvinenko, after the fact, a traitor for going public with his allegations."
The Litvinenko caseThe Litvinenko case
Marina Litvinenko, Alexander's widow, and son Anatoly say the report may be a milestone but might not not end their struggle.Marina Litvinenko, Alexander's widow, and son Anatoly say the report may be a milestone but might not not end their struggle.
"It is important, but it is not necessarily the end", said Mrs Litvinenko, while her son said he felt "a sense of duty"."It is important, but it is not necessarily the end", said Mrs Litvinenko, while her son said he felt "a sense of duty".
"My father did a hell of a lot to get me to this country to make sure I was safe," he added."My father did a hell of a lot to get me to this country to make sure I was safe," he added.
"I need to respect that and do whatever I can to honour his memory."I need to respect that and do whatever I can to honour his memory.
"Finding the truth is the closest we can get to justice for my father.""Finding the truth is the closest we can get to justice for my father."