A new documentary digs into the mysterious 2006
polonium death of reputed KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko. It's titled "The
Case of Alexander Litvinenko -- Through Sherlock's Eyes."
Many have suspected that Russian president Vladimir Putin was behind the
alleged murder. But producer Alexander Korobko chalks up the death to sheer
carelessness.
He says, "I think it was a sales operation that went wrong." The
producer's theory backs up earlier speculation that Litvinenko had been
involved in trafficking the radioactive polonium. Korobko adds,
"Litvinenko was known to be careless." For instance, he says,
Litvinenko even recklessly "played with his gun in his pocket."
Korobko is quick to point out that the documentary does not portray the Russian
government's point of view. "This is a film that uniquely represents both
sides, where people agree," he asserts. Featuring more British and
American contributors than Russians, "this is an independent endeavor
involving many people passionate about the subject" Korobko explains.
My own research attests to many deficiencies in that news coverage. In 2007 I was commissioned by the organizers of the International Federation of Journalists World Congress to investigate the media's reportage on Litvinenko. I found that almost all coverage in the West was one-sided. What made things worse is that the one side was based on a massive fabrication perpetrated by Putin's political enemies.
For instance, there was a widely-publicized deathbed statement in which Litvinenko fingered Putin. Subsequently that story was proved to be a hoax. The hoaxer ultimately confessed that the words were his own and not Litvinenko's. He even admitted there was no factual basis for his allegations. Yet media outlets continue to cite the so-called deathbed statement even today.
The media have addressed only the part of the Litvinenko affair that lies on the surface. That means if readers have relied upon news reports they've gotten only half the story.
My latest research has found a compelling solution to the case. It involves a surprising mystery behind the murder mystery. I present the whole story in my new book titled Litvinenko Murder Case Solved. It spells it all out in clear and authoritative terms.
It took nearly ten years for the British government to open an official public inquiry into Litvinenko's death. The Russian Embassy in London has suggested that this inquiry is as one-sided as all the media reports. I agree. The inquiry only came about amidst the sanctions frenzy against Russia over the Ukraine crisis. It was a political act, not an honest search for the truth. For his part, British prime minister David Cameron put the weight of the UK government behind the fabrications in order to get at Putin.
Meanwhile, Alexander Korobko hopes his documentary will "clear the air." I hope so too.