LITVINENKO WIDOW HAILS PUBLIC PROBE
The widow of poisoned former spy Alexander Litvinenko said she is "relieved and delighted" that a public inquiry is to be held into his death, and that it tells his killers "no matter how strong and powerful you are, truth will win out in the end".
Marina Litvinenko fought for the probe into her husband's murder after a coroner said he could not hold a "fair and fearless" investigation as part of an inquest, and that a public inquiry should take place instead.
The 43-year-old Russian, known as Sasha to his loved ones, died after drinking tea laced with radioactive polonium-210 with two former colleagues at a London hotel in 2006.
Family handout dated 14/10/1994 of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko (right) with his wife Marina on their wedding day in Moscow, after it was announced that a public inquiry will be held into the death of poisoned spy Alexander Litvinenko. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday July 22, 2014. See PA story POLITICS Litvinenko. Photo credit should read: Family Handout/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Mrs Litvinenko said today: "I am relieved and delighted with this decision. It sends a message to Sasha's murderers: no matter how strong and powerful you are, truth will win out in the end and you will be held accountable for your crimes.
"It has taken nearly eight years to bring those culpable for Sasha's murder to justice. I look forward to the day when the truth behind my husband's murder is revealed for the whole world to see."
