The Litvinenko Inquiry

The Litvinenko Inquiry
wanted to fudge that distinction [i.e. the distinction between extremists and terrorists]
and just create a new feeling for the FSB to feel free to act without constraint.”
9.198 Since 2006 President Putin has supported and protected Mr Lugovoy, notwithstanding
the fact that Mr Lugovoy has been publicly accused of killing Mr Litvinenko. During the
course of the Inquiry hearings, President Putin awarded Mr Lugovoy an honour for
services to the fatherland. Whilst it does not follow that Mr Lugovoy must have been
acting on behalf of the Russian State when he killed Mr Litvinenko, the way in which
President Putin has treated Mr Lugovoy is certainly consistent with that hypothesis.
Moreover, President Putin’s conduct towards Mr Lugovoy suggests a level of approval
for the killing of Mr Litvinenko.
9.199 In my judgement, these matters amount to strong circumstantial evidence of Russian
State responsibility for the killing of Mr Litvinenko. Having additionally taken into
account the closed evidence, my findings are as follows.
9.200 When Mr Lugovoy poisoned Mr Litvinenko (as I have found that he did), it is probable
that he did so under the direction of the FSB. I would add that I regard that as a strong
probability. I have found that Mr Kovtun also took part in the poisoning; I conclude
therefore that he was also acting under FSB direction, possibly indirectly through
Mr Lugovoy but probably to his knowledge.
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