Investigators find radiation on BA aircraft in poisoned spy case
By Paul King,WNS UK Bureau Chief
LONDON - Investigators looking into the events surrounding the poisoning of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko found traces of radiation on two British Airways aircraft on Wednesday. Meanwhile, an Italian academic mentioned as a suspect in Litvinenko's death was reportedly given the all-clear from possible radiation contamination. British Airways said that "very low traces of a radioactive substance" had been found on two of its three aircraft which were taken out of service to "enable forensic examination to be carried out".
In a separate statement, the Home Office (interior ministry) said investigators have "started tests on two aircraft at Heathrow Airport and are making arrangements for a third plane to be tested." BA published on its website a list of the Boeing 767 flights concerned, covering incoming and outgoing flights throughout November from London Heathrow to Moscow, Barcelona, Dusseldorf, Athens, Larnaca, Stockholm and Vienna. Large quantities of the radioactive substance polonium 210 were found in the Russian defector's urine. Traces of it have also been discovered at a central London sushi bar where he met with the Italian academic Mario Scaramella and a central London hotel where the ex-secret serviceman met two Russian contacts on November 1. The substance has also been found at Litvinenko's north London home, at the office of exiled Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky - an acquaintance of Litvinenko - and a security company. Two other locations are being searched.
Britain's domestic Press Association news agency said it understood a number of Litvinenko's friends and family had also been tested, including Berezovsky, but they are said to be in "perfect health". Public health officials have so far sent eight people for precautionary tests at a special clinic. Forty-nine staff at the two hospitals where Litvinenko was treated have also had to provide urine for testing. The results are expected next week. None has been referred to the clinic and there was no risk of contamination at the hospitals, the Health Protection Agency added.
posted by wnsworld @ 11:32 PM
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