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Press Releases
First interview with poisoned Russian spy
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In his first interview since discovering he had been poisoned, Russian dissident
Alex Litvinenko, who is in a London hospital, spoke to the 91Èȱ¬ Russian Service on
11 November.
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The following is a transcript of the interview in which he talks about
the attempt on his life.
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The interview was conducted in Russian and is available, to the media, for listening from the 91Èȱ¬
World Service Press Office.
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Please credit 91Èȱ¬ Russian Service if using any quotes.
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Interview with Alex Litvinenko
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Q: Hello, how are you?
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A: I am listening.
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Q: Russian press is reporting that there has been an attempt to poison you. Is this
information correct?
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A: Look, now after a serious poisoning I am still in very bad shape, I feel badly
and I am staying at one of London's clinics.
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Q: Do you think what happened is connected to any event? There are reports that
there was a plan to give you some documents about the murder of Russian journalist
Anna Politkovskaya and after that you felt sick?
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A: I was contacted by a person, he suggested a meeting, the meeting happened on the
1st of November at one of London restaurants. He passed me some papers, where the
person was named, who apparently might be connected to the murder of Anna
Politkovskaya. That's it. After several hours I felt sick with symptoms of
poisoning.
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Q: Could you tell us where this happened? In what area of London?
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A: In the centre, in central London.
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Q: Whereabouts?
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A: I don't want to name the restaurant. Police are investigating this right now -
let them work, let them work without distraction
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Q: Was it Westminster or Chelsea?
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A: I told you, police are investigating, let them work quietly.
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Q: I understand.
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A: When I feel better, when I am back home, I will pass these papers to Novaya
Gazeta. To police and to Novaya Gazeta - that's all.
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Q: But to your mind these two events are connected?
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A: I don't know whether they are connected. I guess you can make your own
conclusion on this.
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Q: But the name which is quoted in Russian press, does it make sense?
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A: It does.
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Q: And the documents - are they solid, can you trust them?
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A: The documents are in English. I did not even manage to study them properly
because when I was home I felt sick in just a few hours.
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Q: Many thanks. Take care. Get well soon.
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Notes to Editors
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Novaya Gazeta is the newspaper where Politkovskaya worked.
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91Èȱ¬ World Service
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