This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6178890.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ex-Russian spy dies in hospital Ex-Russian spy dies in hospital
(20 minutes later)
Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has died in hospital three weeks after apparently being poisoned in London.Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has died in hospital three weeks after apparently being poisoned in London.
University College Hospital, London, said Mr Litvinenko had died at 2121 GMT on Thursday and the cause of his condition was still being investigated.University College Hospital, London, said Mr Litvinenko had died at 2121 GMT on Thursday and the cause of his condition was still being investigated.
Friends have said the 43-year-old was poisoned because of his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin - Russia has denied any involvement.Friends have said the 43-year-old was poisoned because of his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin - Russia has denied any involvement.
Scotland Yard said they were now investigating "an unexplained death".Scotland Yard said they were now investigating "an unexplained death".
DefectorDefector
Mr Litvinenko, who defected to the UK in 2000 and was later granted asylum and citizenship, fell ill on November 1 after a series of meetings in central London.
He was admitted to University College Hospital on 17 November. His condition deteriorated after he suffered a heart attack overnight on Wednesday.
A hospital spokesman said: "Every avenue was explored to establish the cause of [Mr Litvinenko's] condition and the matter is now an ongoing investigation being dealt with by detectives from New Scotland Yard.A hospital spokesman said: "Every avenue was explored to establish the cause of [Mr Litvinenko's] condition and the matter is now an ongoing investigation being dealt with by detectives from New Scotland Yard.
"Because of this we will not be commenting any further on this matter. Our thoughts are with Mr Litvinenko's family.""Because of this we will not be commenting any further on this matter. Our thoughts are with Mr Litvinenko's family."
Mr Litvinenko, who defected to the UK in 2000 and was later granted asylum and citizenship, was apparently poisoned on November 1. Mr Litvinenko had been investigating the murder of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya.
In an interview with Friday's Times newspaper, film-maker Andrei Nekrasov said he had spoken to Mr Litvinenko, a close friend, hours before he fell unconscious for the last time.
He said Mr Litvinenko told him: "I want to survive, just to show them. The bastards got me but they won't get everybody."
Thallium theoryThallium theory
He was admitted to University College Hospital on 17 November. His condition deteriorated after he suffered a heart attack overnight on Wednesday.
Initial reports from the hospital said Mr Litvinenko had been poisoned with the heavy metal thallium, but later it was suggested that some form of radioactive material may have been used.Initial reports from the hospital said Mr Litvinenko had been poisoned with the heavy metal thallium, but later it was suggested that some form of radioactive material may have been used.
Head of critical care at the hospital, Dr Geoff Bellingan, has subsequently dismissed both of these explanations.Head of critical care at the hospital, Dr Geoff Bellingan, has subsequently dismissed both of these explanations.
Reports of three objects found on X-rays of the patient were "misleading" and were almost certainly shadows caused by Prussian Blue, used to treat thallium or caesium poisoning, he said.Reports of three objects found on X-rays of the patient were "misleading" and were almost certainly shadows caused by Prussian Blue, used to treat thallium or caesium poisoning, he said.
Asylum HAVE YOUR SAY My sincere condolences go out to this poor man's family. I hope the truth about his death will one day be uncovered and shared with the world. Andy, London href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4802&edition=2&ttl=20061121125012" class="">Send us your comments
Chemistry expert Dr Andrea Sella said the problem facing doctors trying to trace the cause of the illness was that they would not know what they were looking for.
Dr Sella, of University College London, said: "They have a problem. They have to find some unspecified poison and they don't know what it is.
"They don't know whether it is a single substance or a mixture."
Before Mr Litvinenko's death, police said they suspected "deliberate poisoning".Before Mr Litvinenko's death, police said they suspected "deliberate poisoning".
Investigations are examining two meetings, one at a London hotel with a former KGB agent and another man, and a later rendezvous with Italian security consultant Mario Scaramella at a sushi restaurant in London's West End. Investigators are examining two meetings he had on 1 November - one at a London hotel with a former KGB agent and another man, and a later rendezvous with Italian security consultant Mario Scaramella at a sushi restaurant in London's West End.
Mr Litvinenko fled to the UK in 2000, claiming persecution in Russia, and was granted asylum. He is understood to have taken British citizenship this year.Mr Litvinenko fled to the UK in 2000, claiming persecution in Russia, and was granted asylum. He is understood to have taken British citizenship this year.
He had been investigating the murder of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya.
Both the Kremlin and Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, have denied any part in poisoning Mr Litvinenko, who is a former security agent with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).Both the Kremlin and Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, have denied any part in poisoning Mr Litvinenko, who is a former security agent with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).