You're reading: Litvinenko suspect said poisoned with polonium

MOSCOW — Russia's top investigative body says the prime suspect in the 2006 radioactive poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko was himself poisoned with polonium.

British prosecutors have named ex-KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi as their chief suspect in Litvinenko’s death in London, which was caused by ingesting tea laced with radioactive isotope polonium-210.

Russia has refused to hand Lugovoi over. Lugovoi, who met with Litvinenko in a London hotel hours before he fell ill, has denied involvement.

Russia’s Investigative Committee said Wednesday that Lugovoi became the "victim" of polonium poisoning when he communicated with Litvinenko in London.

On his deathbed, Litvinenko, a KGB agent-turned government critic, accused the Kremlin of orchestrating his killing.