Assassination is "in" again

The body of former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko, a prominent critic of Vladmir Putin's government, contained a radioactive substance:

A large quantity of radiation, probably from a substance called Polonium 210, has been found in the body of dead ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.

The "major dose" of alpha radiation was detected in his urine, said Government experts, who added that Polonium 210 is only dangerous if ingested.

They also revealed that police have found radiation in a central London sushi bar where Mr Litvinenko ate shortly before falling ill - and in a hotel where he had met two Russians that morning.

Dr Pat Troop, head of the Health Protection Agency, said the death was an "unprecedented event in the UK" and he had "apparently been poisoned by a type of radiation".

[...]

The Russian President said the death was a tragedy, but he had not seen any definitive proof that it was a "violent death". He also brushed off suggestions linking him to the case.

I'm no expert on this stuff, but I'd say that if you're trying to eliminate your enemies, using radiation poisoning - when your country is not only one of the few nuclear states on earth, but is probably best known for a massive nuclear power-plant accident* - might not be the best way to keep it quiet.

Jim Geraghty has more on how the Russians, Syrians and other disreputable regimes are going back to the old, trusted practice of their enemies whacked. He also fisks an e-mail from a European reader who implies that the Joooooooos did it. (Be sure to read all the way to the end, when we find out where he works.)

*yes, Chernobyl was in Ukraine. But the Russians were running the show back then.

Damian P.

Posted by damian at November 24, 2006 12:51 PM