Saturday, January 27, 2007

Cup of tea ?

British police have concluded that a former Russian spy was poisoned by a lethal dose of radioactive Polonium-210 added to his tea at a London hotel.

Investigators have identified the teapot believed to have contained the radioactive tea, which eventually killed Alexander Litvinenko in November, Sky News said, citing unnamed Scotland Yard officials.

ABC News had a similar report, citing an unidentified official.

Police officials and a spokesman at the hotel declined to comment on the reports.

The reports also said police have identified another former Russian spy, Andrei Lugovoi, as a suspect in the murder. Sky News said British prosecutors believe they have enough evidence to charge him.

The reports cap a week of media speculation on the direction of the British investigation into the death.

The Guardian newspaper also reported Friday that police were focusing on Lugovoi and preparing to submit evidence to prosecutors to decide whether to file charges against him, citing unnamed government officials.

Lugovoi, who has strenuously denied playing any role in the murder, was not immediately available for comment.

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