Conspiracy theories: Who killed Alexander Litvinenko?

The chairman of the public inquiry into the death of Alexander Litvinenko has said he has seen “prima facie” evidence that the Russia state was involved in the former KGB agent’s murder. But the Russian dissident’s death has still given rise to a series of other scenarios by observers and conspiracy theories. These are some of the claims:

Execution by rogue elements or ex-members of Russian secret services

Mr Litvinenko's career was built first on rising through the ranks of the KGB and the FSB which inherited its domestic role. Then he turned whistle-blower. Both stages of his life made him plenty of enemies in a murderous world. But would anyone feel so strongly as to incur the risks of killing him in London?

Chechen separatists

Although he showed no interest in the subject before leaving Russia, in exile Mr Litvinenko became heavily involved in the dangerous world of Chechen politics. Two men believed to be from the Chechnya region of Russia were arrested and later released over the firebombing of the north London homes of Mr Litvinenko and Ahmed Zakayev, a separatist leader.

"Friends" in Britain

Could Mr Litvinenko's death somehow be a boon to people in this country who, in the past, have fought on the same side as the former agent? It might be in the interests of some people who fear extradition to Russia if Mr Litvinenko appeared to have already fallen victim to a ruthless and oppressive regime. One of the prime suspects, Andrey Lugovoy, has hinted that Boris Berezovsky – the man who helped Litvinenko and his family escape Russia – was somehow involved. Denying his own involvement, Lugovoy said of Berezovsky: “In essence he controlled the whole process including Litvinenko himself.”

The Italian connection

Litvinenko spent three years passing deep intelligence to Mario Scaramella and the Mitrokhin Commission – a probe to uncover Soviet links with Italian politicians. From his deathbed, Litvinenko caused astonishment when he accused the Italian security consultant of spiking his meal at Itsu in Piccadilly. He had met Mr Scaramella on that fateful day of Nov 1 at the sushi restaurant after all. But the allegation was quickly dropped, when Litvinenko told his friend Alex Goldfarb: “The Italian has nothing to do with it. I named him on purpose, as a trick. The real man is Andrey Lugovoy, but please keep it secret. I am trying to lure him back to London.”