Alexander Litvinenko death: What we know about the former Russian spy's death

As the report into the public inquiry into the former Russian spy's murder is published, we look back at the timeline up until now

Alexander Litvinenko is pictured at the Intensive Care Unit of University College Hospital on 20 November 2006 in London (Getty)

The report of the public inquiry into the murder of the former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in London is published today, as his son says his father's killers are being protected by the Kremlin.

Anatoly Litvinenko, who was 12 when his father died after drinking a cup of tea laced with polonium 2-10 at a London hotel, told Sky News: "It was an extremely complex murder, using an extremely complex murder weapon.

"The killers were protected by the Russian state. It was always going to be a slow and difficult case."

Here is a timeline of events leading up to the former Russian spy's death and its aftermath.

1998 - Alexander Litvinenko claims at a Moscow press hearing that the FSB - the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation - instructed him to kill high-profile billionaire Boris Berezovsky.

1999 - Mr Litvinenko is arrested and spends nine months in jail on charges of abuse of office. He is later freed by a court.

2000 - Mr Litvinenko flees Russia and seeks political asylum in Britain - it is granted the following year.

Alexander Litvinenko, pictured in 2004 (MARTIN HAYHOW/AFP/Getty Images)

2002 - Mr Litvinenko co-writes a book, in which he accuses his former FSB superiors of carrying out a number of apartment block bombings in 1999.

2006 - Journalist Anna Politkovskaya is shot dead in her Moscow apartment on October 7. Mr Litvinenko begins to investigate her murder.

A man holds a portrait of slain Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya during a rally marking the 8th anniversary of her death in Moscow, last year (Getty)

November 1 2006 - Mr Litvinenko meets Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitri Kovtun at the Millennium hotel in London's Mayfair. MrLitvinenko is admitted to a hospital in north London several hours later, after complaining of feeling sick.

November 17 2006 - His condition deteriorates and he is transferred to University College Hospital in central London.

November 21 2006 - The Kremlin dismisses as “sheer nonsense” claims that the Russian government was involved in the poisoning.

Alexander Litvinenkolies in intensive care (Getty Images)

November 23 - Mr Litvinenko dies in intensive care.

November 24 - Mr Litvinenko's family releases a statement, accusing Russian president Vladimir Putin of involvement in his death.


 Mr Litvinenko's widow Marina and their son Anatoly

May 2007 - The Crown Prosecution Service announces its decision to prosecute Lugovoi for murder.

July 2007 - Moscow refuses an extradition request for Lugovoi.

July 2014 - The Home Secretary announces that Sir Robert Owen is to chair a public inquiry into Mr Litvinenko's death.

January 2015 -The inquiry opens.

July 2015 - The hearings come to an end.

January 2016 - Mr Litvinenko's son Anatoly accuses the Kremlin of protecting his father's killers.

January 21 2016 - Sir Robert's report is published.