'Tinpot despot' Putin behind Litvinenko murder, inquiry hears

Litvinenko lawyers point the finger at Putin in the final day of inquiry. Credit: Ria Novosti/Reuters

Vladimir Putin should be held responsible for the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, the inquiry into the death of the Russian spy was told today.

Closing the six month inquiry, the counsel representing the Litvinenko family said that it would be "impossible" for such an "assassination" to happen without the approval of the Russian president- who they described as a "morally deranged authoritarian".

Mr Litvinenko, 43, died nearly three weeks after drinking tea laced with polonium-210 in London in November 2006.

Police concluded that the fatal dose was probably consumed during a meeting with Dmitri Kovtun and Andrei Lugovoi at a hotel in central London.

Russian spy, Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned in 2006 Credit: PA

Ben Emmerson QC, representing Mr Litvinenko's widow Marina and son Anatoly, told the inquiry: "Vladimir Putin stands accused of this murder on solid and direct evidence - the best evidence that is ever likely to be available in relation to secret and corrupt criminal enterprise in the Kremlin."

Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Marina Litvinenko said: "It was very difficult but very important to do this.

"I'm very, very happy for what [the inquiry] will be able to bring to the open air for all people to be able to listen and see and discuss, even more I'm so glad that people are still interested after more than nine years.

"The situation in Russia is really difficult and I want my people to have more freedom but under dictatorship it's not possible."

Mrs Litvinenko said she was sure that Putin was responsible for the death of her husband.

Marina Litvinenko, the widow of the Russian spy speaks outside the court. Credit: Reuters

The inquiry included forensic evidence linking two businessmen Kovtun and Lugovoi including the discovery of polonium-210 in the pair's hotel rooms.

It was also said that Litvinenko's whistle-blowing about Mr Putin and his alleged links to organised crime made him an "enemy of the state".

Mr Emmerson QC described the pair as "henchman" who had been ordered to "liquidate" Mr Litvinenko by the Russian state with the backing of Mr Putin.

He also described an honour awarded to Lugovoi for services to the 'Motherland' by the president in March as an attempt by Russia to undermine the inquiry.

"It was a crass and clumsy gesture from an increasingly isolated tinpot despot - a morally deranged authoritarian who was at that very moment clinging desperately on to political power in the face of international sanctions and a rising chorus of international condemnation," he said.

Andrei Lugovoi (left) and Dmitri Kovtun (right) suspected of being involved in Litvinenko's death Credit: Reuters

The inquiry into the death of Litvinenko which began in January, has now heard from 62 witnesses.

The chairman, Sir Robert Owen is expected to return his conclusion by the end of the year.