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Radioactive spy's coffin barred from mosque
Last updated at 14:37pm on 07.12.06
Alexander Litvinenko's father Walter (centre) and brother Maxim, right, arrive at Regent's Park mosque today for the former spy's funeral
The final tragedy for poisoned Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko unravelled today as his family were denied the Muslim funeral he had wished for.
Mr Litvinenko, 43, who was poisoned with a lethal dose of polonium-210, converted to Islam shortly before his death in a London hospital exactly two weeks ago.
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His family had asked friends of the former KGB agent to attend Regent's Park Mosque for a full Muslim ceremony in which his coffin would be brought into the prayer hall.
But the authorities ruled that the potential for radiation being emitted from his body jeopardised the safety of the public.
This left mourners, including Mr Litvinenko's widow Marina and son Anatoly, from Muswell Hill, with no choice but to hold a small private prayer ceremony at the mosque without the coffin.
The drama happened as the Russian prosecutor general's office said it has opened a criminal case for the poisoning of Mr Litvinenko and the attempted killing of associate Dmitry Kovtun. Mr Kovtun was one of two Russians who met the spy at the Millennium Hotel in London days before his death. Traces of polonium have since been found there.
A senior source at the mosque said: "The normal custom for an Islamic funeral involves the closed coffin being brought in and the senior Imam saying a prayer for the soul of the deceased. Sadly, the family have not been able to get authorisation for this and the mosque has been informed by the police that the body is contaminated and, for public safety, we could not hold the correct funeral."
Mr Litvinenko's father Walter and younger brother Maxim were among the mourners. Also attending was Muslim communityleader Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui and Akhmed Zakayev, a former Chechen commander and former associate of Mr Litvinenko.
Earlier this week, Mr Litvinenko senior told of his son's conversion to Islam.
He said: "I came to visit him at the hospital and said that I put a candle for him in a church and prayed for his soul. He replied that he wanted to be buried according to Muslim tradition. I said that his will would be fulfilled."
After the prayers at the mosque, Mr Litvinenko's body, encased in an air-tight, radiation-proof coffin, was taken to a secret burial site, accompanied by security guards.
Reader views (8)
Alexander Litvinenko was eliminated because he was a double agent working against the interests of Russia and for enemies in Chechnya and Iran.
- Tom Bell, Silver Springs, USA
His death is a sad loss to his family. His conversion was his choice, and it's not for us to judge his reasoning.
May his family find comfort. Please try to show respect guys.
- Andrew Watson, London
How about this: Alexander Litvinenko is really not dead and this is just a story as to why his "remains" were not at the mosque ceremony.
- Ron, Los Angeles
I believe the "two weeks ago" refers to when he died, not how long ago he converted.
- Eddie, Lawrence, KS
I sure hope they didn't bury him someplace where the material could leach out of his body. The integrity of a personal casket will not be great enough to withstand the water table. Perhaps they took him to a radioactive waste site. I certainly hope so.
- Ex-Nuke, midmichigan, USA
Radiation for thee, but not for me.
- Dave, USA
I find it interesting that he converted to the Muslim religion just 2 weeks before his death. Is there some symbology there or some type of clue? Why would he convert 2 weeks before his death? Maybe I'm going in the wrong direction, but is it just me that strikes this as odd/weird timing?
- Marlene, Washington, DC
Wait a minute. First the authorities say that Polonium-210 poses no threat to the public unless it's ingested. They also say that anyone coming into casual contact with Litvinenko is not at risk. And now, they can't let his body out in the open because of the health risk? Which is it?
- Mark H., Chicago, USA
