Lugovoi the Liar
By Sean at 30 August, 2007, 11:15 pm
With all the hoopla around the Anna Politkovskaya murder case, we’ve forgotten to check in with good ol’Andrei Lugovoi to see how he’s doing. Whether valid or not the Politikovskaya murder is often linked with the Litvinenko murder with the following terms–dissident, “fierce Kremlin critic,” Berezovsky, Chechnya, KGB/FSB, and, of course, Putin.
Unlike the Politkovskaya case, however, the Litvinenko case remains stuck in a bureaucratic-diplomatic-legal quagmire. The Russian government has repeated refused allowing Lugovoi to be extradited to Britain. And so far the Russian authorities have been unsatisfied with what the British have provided by way of proof of Lugovoi’s involvement. “We have not received any evidence from London of Lugovoi’s guilt, and those documents we have are full of blank spaces and contradictions,” Alexander Bastrykin, the head of the committee investigating the Litvinenko affair at the Russian Prosecutors Office, told Rossiiskaya gazeta. The UK Crown Prosecution Office, surely tired of inquiries and what it considers statements that amount to nothing more than ravings, declined to comment on Bastrykin’s recent comments. They simply referred statements made on 22 May that stated that the Crown had sufficient evidence to try Lugovoi.
Though his future remains uncertain, that doesn’t mean Lugovoi is keeping his mouth shut. In a press conference held today, Lugovov rattled off a spite fire of allegations against, you guessed it, Boris Berezovsky. Lugovoi claims that not only is BAB responsible for the Litvinenko murder, but also Politkovskaya’s murder and sought to mastermind a plot to off Elena Tregubova. Tregubova is the author of the scandalous political tell all Tales of a Kremlin Digger. She applied for political exile in Britain earlier this year claiming that her book put her life in danger. If she really was on Berezovsky’s kill list, why the hell would she flee to Britain? I guess Andrei forgot to explain that one.
But he did say this, “At the meeting with Berezovsky held in London in late October of 2006, only one topic was under discussion – arranging protection for Elena Tregubova. Having analyzed Berezovsky’s persistent interest towards whether or not the protection of this journalist would be executed in the name of an employee of my firm,” and “that Boris Abramovich was preparing an alibi for himself and simultaneously building a chain to remove Politkovskaya, Litvinenko, Tregubova or Politkovskaya, Tregubova, Litvinenko.” He went on to suggest that Berezovsky represents the “fifth estate” in Britain.
It as if Boris didn’t already have enough to worry about. His name has been splashed all over the news after Russian general Prosecutor Chaika made veiled implications that he ordered the hit on Politkovskaya. Earlier this month, Russian authorities filled a sixth warrant for his arrest for embezzling $13 million from SBS Argo Bank in 1997. He already has the Brazilians on his back and now the Dutch and French are vying for some space on there too. Do ya feel the heat yet, Boris? Do ya?
One thing is for sure. Lugovoi should keep his pie-hole shut because he can’t seem to keep his story straight. For example, Kommersant has discovered that the supposed “analytical documents” Lugovoi said he and Litvinenko sold to British intelligence for 10,000 euros turned out to be a scam. They weren’t government documents at all, but written by the staff at the Center for Political Information. When asked about the confidentiality of the papers, CPI head Alexei Mukhin told Kommersant that
“The excerpts that Vlast quoted were taken from our reference publication, “The System of Moscow Clubs. Elite, Lobbyists and Brain Centers” issued in 2006 and our monitoring for the balance of forces in high ranks [#122 as of March 2006]. We have been publishing these monitoring issues every other month since 2001. The reference guide on night clubs was compiled from my own information gathered by students of Russian Social University, so it can’t confidential by any means. The students went to closed clubs to gather information, so they actually carried out a journalist investigation. The monitoring of the balance of forces is an exclusive material. It is a limited edition which is distributed among CPI’s clients only – there are no more than a few dozens of them, anyway.”
When Kommersant asked Lugovoi about the documents he said “I’ve never said Litvinenko and I sold informational and analytical files about Russia to anyone in England. Litvinenko is a traitor who deserves the worst treatment by all Russian citizens!” Ah, right . . . But did you sell the documents, Mr. Lugovoi? Silence. Oh, nevermind. We’ll just use your statements from 31 May: “So, we were offering them various analytical materials in different spheres of the economy. We received money for these materials directly, and Litvinenko got 20 percent in cash from them. This is what he told me. If they were to transfer, say, $10,000, they would transfer $8,000 and give the rest to Litvinenko.”
Insert foot in mouth.
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Sean wrote:
“Though his future remains uncertain, that doesn’t mean Lugovoi is keeping his mouth shut.”
Sean, do you have better candidates for speeches about this matter? Gordon Brown maybe?
Lugovoi is pulling all ends he can pull (and he can – he has rather influencial clients) to get out of the shit. And the reason is very simple – he is loosing money. With his new “reputation” and restrictions to travel he might loose his business. As simple as that. Or do you suspect that Эхо is manipulated by Kremlin?
Sean wrote:
“If she really was on Berezovsky’s kill list, why the hell would she flee to Britain? I guess Andrei forgot to explain that one.”
Should HE explain why the hell she fled to London? In fact she fled to Berezovsky. There is difference between just London and Berezovsky. Why did she flee? Она просто дура! And very likely by refusing to deal with her “protection” Lugovoi saved her life. Because as alive she is nobody. As well as Politkovskaya and Litvinenko. And you know that! I mean that only those dealing with Russian politics knew them, right? Now – every idiot reading/watching WMD.
And last thing. You suggest Lugovoi inserting foot. But you also should be more carefull with your legs
))
Watch this!
1. “Kommersant has discovered that the supposed “analytical documents” Lugovoi said he and Litvinenko sold to British intelligence”
2. We’ll just use your statements from 31 May: “So, we were offering them various analytical materials in different spheres of the economy.”
See the difference? Selling info to intellegince and selling info to business is not same, isn’t it?
In May Lugovoi was talking about consulting service he was providing to British or any other bussinesmen (and women).
But Kommersant supposed something about intelligence.
And believe me – Lugovoi knows what he is talking. He was serving BAB for many years. And I understand him – he would like to keep his mouth shut (as he is not an angel) but he has to tell something that might help him to get out of shit without damaging his clients and contacts.
Plus he has to keep his secrets. He is a pro – not showman. This is another difference with idiot Litvinenko. He served in ПГУ. And they say “There is no such things as former spy”. So he is telling as much as he can (but he knows much more).
As to BAB’s reasons – he is just a player. Have you ever been in casino? People loosing money – but play anyway.
Doesn’t this start to look more and more like a criminal enterprise that both Litvinenko and Lugovoi were involved in, and perhaps Lugovoi deciding to get revenge on Litvinenko?
He certainly doesn’t show any remorse in the death of his supposed business partner.
Why should he show?
Litvinenko dragged him into this shit.
And he was not a partner. He was something between Lugovoi and Berezovsky – so Lugovoi had to deal with him to be able to deal with BAB. So I would call him – business contact.
PS. As you guess I have no remorse to Litvinenko.
“If she really was on Berezovsky’s kill list, why the hell would she flee to Britain? ”
Blackmail?
What I find interesting is the conjunction of Lugovoi’s claim that Litvineko was thinking of blackmailing Berezovsky in the context of the statements Litvinenko apparently made in his last interviews that he was thinking of blackmailing Russian businessmen. When I read that originally for some reason it did not click in my mind that BAB might be one of the businessmen in question.
It makes sense that Litvinenko would think of doing something like that.
“Doesn’t this start to look more and more like a criminal enterprise that both Litvinenko and Lugovoi were involved in”
Such as, say, smuggling of radioactive materials?
““Doesn’t this start to look more and more like a criminal enterprise that both Litvinenko and Lugovoi were involved in”
Such as, say, smuggling of radioactive materials?”
====================
I doubt that Lugovoi was that stupid – to deal with illegal stuff and Litvinenko together. He has a good and almost legal business.
I simply cannot believe that Lugovoi is speaking of his own free will. First, the shitstorm over Litvinenko has just died down – why would he set up a press conference? To revive a scandal in which he’s accused of murder? Second, ever since his first press conference, Lugovoi has seemed more intent on obfuscation rather than clearing up his name.
I really think he’s being blackmailed (no, not by Putin)…
BB said that the Russian government might knock him off much like how assassins get knocked off after fullfilling their contracted hit.
Regarding AL’s media gigs, here’s another idea which might seem off the wall: for whatever reasons, the Russian goverment and-or AL feel it best to have him on as presented. One not often discussed but valid criticism of the Russian government relates to some (at times)poor PR/media decisions.
Don’t rule out the notion of AL being relatively free to be carrying on in the manner that he has chosen. The Russian government affiliated Russia Profile frequently features Ethan Burger, among others, who aren’t so Russia/Russian government friendly. Although far from perfect, it’s not as restricted and regimented an environment as some believe.
“The Russian government affiliated Russia Profile…”
***
To clarify, it’s essentially RIAN owned (as I’ve been told by several folks in the business) but managed by the Independent Media (Moscow Times) folks out of RIAN’s realization that IM communicates well in the Eng. lang. While receiving Russian government funding, RIAN often posts/publishes commentary which can’t be considered as rubber stamp pro-Russian government.
PS. As you guess I have no remorse to Litvinenko.
I didn’t expect you to have any remorse. You didn’t have business dealings, spend time over drinks and meals with the man. I think there are very few people that I know, even people that I dislike, that I wouldn’t feel some remorse or compassion for their dying.
Now, imagine someone you’ve known for some years and had business dealings with. And when he dies a rather horrible death, you immediately shit on his grave?
As for your implying that Lugovoi is somehow not stupid – the man contradicts himself every time he opens his mouth. I’ve seen nothing that indicates he is anything more than a blunt instrument.
Shedd wtote:
“And when he dies a rather horrible death, you immediately shit on his grave?”
Really?
Or are you just a victim of WMD – Weapons of Mass Desinformation?
At least Lugovoi was keeping silence as long as he could – before BAB & Co draged him into this shit.
And Yes – Litvinenko was the enemy. Will you show remorse for Bin Laden, Shedd? Just Yes or No – will you?
The difference in that comparison being that Lugovi was a friend and-or acquaintance of Litvinenko and berezovsky whereas Shedd (at least to my knowledge) was never a friend or acquaintance of Bin laden.
Pardon the non-capital in BB’s last name. A Freudian slip of sorts perhaps.
So far it is Kommersant that is liar.
http://lenta.ru/news/2007/09/16/suit/
Or this might be a new business for Lugovoi – to get money from all papers around the globe that called him “killer” or “liar”.
Sean. I would change at least the title of the front post. Just in case
))
Funny. I just read the same thing. Just here . It’s amazing what a 20 million lawsuit will do. I hope to address this in a post tomorrow. I still like my title though
I told you – Lugovoi is too smart to kill nobodi (I mean – Litvinenko).
As to Vasiliev comments – what else could he say?
First of all if it was any “respectable” paper – they wouldn’t argue with numbers. I think. It’s a kind of scale of their reputation. 10.000 for yellow press, 100.000 for local newspaper, 1.000.000 for “respected” newspaper.
Second – next time these “independent” guys will think what they say. Free speech doesn’t mean free from responsibility …
Lugovoi is going LDPR:
http://www.russiatoday.ru/election/news/14226
http://www.kp.ru/daily/23980/74497/
S-r Brenton published “invitation” for Lugovoi at Komsomolskaya pravda.
First of all, I’m surprised he is still in Moscow (I assumed he MUST be person not grata for his idea to “fix Russian Constitution”)
Second, I’m surprised that NOT A SINGLE person among “free press” world reminded him (and themselves) following story.
http://lenta.ru/news/2007/10/05/sweden/
In 1999 ITAR-TASS correspondent Vladimir Yatsina was kidnapped and killed in Chechnya (by “freedom fighters”).
In August 31, 2006 Russian General Prosecution Office sent request to Sweden authorities to extradite of of the suspects – Магомеда Успаева (Mahomed Uspaev).
Guess the answer? In October 2007 (more than ONE year) the Swedish GOVERNMENT decided not to give THE MURDERER OF JOURNALIST to Russia.
What about European treaty?
What about protection of journalists?
“the best journalist of all times and nations” Politkovskaya receiving all kind of awards all over the world.
But not a single word was told to give justice to the murderer of another journalist.
Oh! He didn’t wrote shit about Putin… That’s the difference. I see.
Wasn’t Politkovskaya found guilty of libel? Twice? The infamous pit story about the nonexistent pits was one; I don’t recollect teh othet offhand.
She was not found guilty.
She was caught several times for “preuvelichenie”.
After such “errors” journalists either resign or fired. Usually. But some calls this “freedom of speech”.
But the point is – Swedish GOVERNMENT showed to S-r Brenton that any extradition request is nothing more than bullshit.
As well as “protection” of journalists.
Fradkov now head of foreign intelligence; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7031684.stm
Another rabbit, out of another Putin top hat!
Classy.
Oops! Meant it to be a heads up on the most recent thread…
Aleka wrote:”Another rabbit, out of another Putin top hat!”
Would be funny if he appointed a wolf, right?
Have you ever heard any boss who hires his enemies (except by mistake)?
Now that the UK Daily Mail has revealed that Litvinenko was on the MI6 payroll, to the tune of £2,000 a month, is it possible that Lugovoi isn’t a total liar?