The Litvinenko File

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On December 7th, 2006, Alexander Litvinenko was buried in Highgate Cemetery, close to Karl Marx's grave. A former officer of Russia's feared security service, Litvinenko became a whistleblower against the corruption and murder within the Russian government. After fleeing the Kremlin's wrath, he sought refuge in London, aligning himself with Moscow's enemies. His tragic death from poisoning in a hospital far from home marked him as a martyr. Martin Sixsmith, drawing from his experience as a BBC Moscow correspondent and connections with key Russian figures in London, investigates the circumstances surrounding Litvinenko's murder. The narrative traces back to 2000, when tensions escalated between the Kremlin and political adversaries, leading to a prolonged conflict that pitted some of Russia's wealthiest individuals against its most powerful president since Stalin. This ongoing struggle has revived some of the KGB's darkest tactics and is poised to intensify as the 2008 presidential election approaches. The account reveals the shocking implications of Litvinenko's murder, highlighting how Russia's internal conflicts spilled into London, capturing global attention.