Poison Plot: Killing of a Spy

In a week when James Bond’s latest movie thriller hit the screens of London, reports surfaced about the poisoning of a spy, and not any spy, but former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko. The former Russian security officer reportedly met with a friend at a sushi bar and after that, contracted radiation poisoning. This incident has aroused much pandemonium such as the finding of radiation from polonium 210, the substance used to poison Litvinenko, on 2 British Airline aeroplanes. Current Russian premier Vladimir Putin has been linked to the assassination of the former KGB spy but has denied any claims that he was involved in the poisoning. One of Litvinenko’s last words were that Putin was “barbaric and ruthless” in attacking him.

On the 2^nd of March 2007, the poison plot reached a new climax as one of the Russian experts, Paul Joyal, involved in investigations of the death of Litvinenko was shot in the midsection once he got out of his car. This has been very suspicious as Joyal recently appeared on a television show “Dateline” and gave his views on the assassination. However, police are highly skeptical that this incident was anything other than street crime and had no link to the assassination.

I feel deep sympathy for Litvinenko and his family, as his assassination was brutal and cruel. Radiation poisoning from polonium 210 was a slow and painful way to die as the radiation would slowly cut “holes” in one’s organs, damaging them and making them unable to function. Hence, I sympathize Litvinenko as I realize the pain and torment he endured.

However, I do believe that this assassination was a conspiracy. Litvinenko, being a long-time and one of the most well known critic of Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin, blamed his sudden illness on Putin, and could possibly be correct although Putin thus far has denied all accusations and even agreed to assist in investigations in whatever way possible. Yet, I ask myself, if this was not a conspiracy, then how could Litvinenko have suffered such a tragedy? Obviously, there is no man that stupid to accidentally poison himself.

Nevertheless, there is a possibility that being such a strong critic of Putin, Litvinenko did poison himself, knowing that on his deathbed, accusing Putin of committing the heinous crime would make him a prime suspect and might even cause his fall from power.

To conclude, I hope that authorities find out the reason why Litvinenko was assassinated and assassin as soon as possible. Life is priceless, and taking one away in such a cruel and heartless way is certainly unforgivable, thus, the assassin deserves to be punished.

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