Alexander Litvinenko

Guide Note

Alexander Litvinenko is a former member turned dissenter of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB). After receiving political asylum in London, Litvinenko authored several books accusing the Russian secret services of staging acts of terror in order to facilitate Vladimir Putin's rise to power. In 2006, Litvinenko died mysteriously of radiation poisoning, prompting medical professionals to declare his death a homicide.

Fast Facts

1. Joined the KGB in 1986
2. Sought asylum in the U.K. in 2000
3. Died: November 26, 2006
4. Books:
   1. Blowing Up Russia: Terror from within
   2. Lubyanka Criminal Group
5. Claimed that Ayman al-Zawahiri was trained by the FSB¹

Litvinenko is believed to have anticipated his own death. After his poisoning, Litvinenko's widow authored a book entitled Death of a Dissident: The Poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko. The book mentions Russian law authorizing preemptive strikes on militant bases abroad. Litvinenko is quoted as saying "You know who they mean when they say 'terrorist bases abroad'? They mean us, Zakayev and Boris, and me".

Reportedly the Russian state was responsible for Litvinenko's death. A British security official said that "there are very strong indications that it was a state action."²