Summary
Overview
Alexander Litvinenko arrives in London as an exile in 2000, granted asylum in 2001. Over the next five years, he builds a life in the UK while becoming increasingly active in opposing Putin through writing, due diligence work, and alleged cooperation with MI6. His 2001 book 'Blowing Up Russia' makes explosive allegations that the FSB orchestrated apartment bombings to justify Putin's rise to power. By 2006, Litvinenko's multiple activities—including consulting for MI6, conducting due diligence on Russian oligarchs, and attempting to recruit agents—have created numerous motives for the Russian state to eliminate him. His relationship with Andrei Lugovoy, who appears to be an FSB agent, puts him in increasing danger.
Life in London Exile and Financial Support from Berezovsky
After arriving at Heathrow in November 2000, Litvinenko uses the alias Edwin Carter while his asylum application is processed. He receives asylum in May 2001 and moves his family to Muswell Hill in North London in 2002, financially supported by oligarch Boris Berezovsky. Litvinenko struggles more with English than his wife Marina, who finds work as a dance teacher. He expresses deep gratitude to Britain, telling his son Anatoly at the Tower of London to defend the country 'until the last drop of your blood.'
- Litvinenko arrives at Heathrow in November 2000 using the alias Edwin Carter and receives asylum in May 2001
- The family moves to Muswell Hill in North London in 2002 with financial support from Berezovsky
- Marina gets a job as a dance teacher while Litvinenko struggles with learning English
- Litvinenko tells his son at the Tower of London to defend Britain 'until the last drop of your blood'
" When after we were given asylum here, I took my son, Anatoly, to the Tower of London and I showed him the British crown. And I told him, Sonny, you must defend this country in future until the last drop of your blood. "
Becoming a Dissident: The Book 'Blowing Up Russia'
Litvinenko moves in circles of Russian exiles and dissidents in London, including Vladimir Bukovsky and Chechen leader Ahmed Zakhaev. In 2001, he co-authors 'Blowing Up Russia' with Yuri Felchinsky, making the explosive allegation that the FSB orchestrated the 1999 apartment bombings that killed over 200 Russians to justify Putin's rise to power and the second Chechen war. The book specifically points to the Ryazan incident where FSB agents were caught placing suspicious sacks in an apartment building, which the FSB claimed was a training exercise.
- Litvinenko befriends Vladimir Bukovsky and Ahmed Zakhaev, conversations that help transform him into a dissident
- In 2001, Litvinenko co-authors 'Blowing Up Russia' alleging the FSB orchestrated apartment bombings
- The apartment bombings killed over 200 people and were used to justify Putin's strongman tactics and the second Chechen war
- The Ryazan incident where FSB agents were caught with suspicious sacks is key evidence for the theory
" The idea that Litvinenko is proposing is that Vladimir Putin killed 200 or so Russian citizens to create a pretext for a conflict that would cement his hold on power. It's a wild allegation in some ways, isn't it? "
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