Litvinenko suspect will not testify at inquiry
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Version 0 of 1. A suspect in the killing of Alexander Litvinenko has confirmed he will not give evidence at the inquiry into the spy’s death, according to reports. Dmitry Kovtun was due to start giving his evidence by video link from Moscow on Monday. But doubts emerged on Friday over his participation and now he has reportedly confirmed he will not take part, saying he had been unable to get permission from the Russian authorities. Related: Alexander Litvinenko inquiry: key figure pulls out of giving evidence Speaking to the BBC in Moscow, 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,” Kovtun said. He claimed he had only received a response to a question about the legality of giving evidence from London on Friday and dismissed suggestions that he was never serious about testifying, according to the BBC. Last week the inquiry was told that Kovtun believes he may be committing an offence under Russian law if he gives evidence. Robin Tam QC, counsel to the inquiry, said his position appeared to be that he regarded himself as bound by obligations of confidentiality to a Russian investigation. “He has suggested that, unless he is discharged from that obligation by the Russian investigating body, he regards himself as unable to give evidence to the inquiry next week.” Richard Horwell QC, for the Metropolitan police, said: “None of this comes 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.” Becoming a core participant entitled him to see 15,000 pages of evidence but not classified government files on the case. The inquiry chairman, Sir Robert Owen, gave Kovtun a deadline of noon on Monday to say whether he would take part. Litvinenko, 43, died nearly three weeks after drinking tea laced with polonium-210 in London in November 2006. Police concluded the fatal dose was probably consumed during a meeting with Kovtun and Andrei Lugovoi at a hotel in central London. British authorities later decided that they should be prosecuted for murder. However, attempts to extradite the pair – who deny any involvement – have failed and they remain in Russia. Both originally refused to take part in the inquiry, which is sitting at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. However, in March Kovtun dramatically changed his mind and offered to give evidence. Owen said he would grant him core participation status and allow him to give evidence if he met a number of conditions. On his deathbed, Litvinenko accused the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, of ordering his assassination – which the Kremlin denies. In April Kovtun said he believed the former KGB officer might have killed himself accidentally after handling radioactive material. |