Mi5/Mi6 foil Berezovsky assassination attempt

[johnfás]

In a further twist for Anglo-Russian relations it is reported this morning that British security services have intercepted an assassination attempt on controversial Russian Berezovsky who current has status of Asylum in Britain. Berezovsky has been a strong critic of the Putin government and previous attempts at his assassination have been reported.

Reports last night claimed that an assassin was captured at the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane, West London, moments before he planned to kill Mr Berezovsky, whose offices are a short distance away. Scotland Yard said last night that it was not prepared to discuss the matter.

The revelation could help to explain why the new Government of Gordon Brown decided to take such tough action against the Kremlin this week. On Monday David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, ordered four Russian diplomats, believed to be members of the Russian security services, to leave Britain within ten days. He also announced measures to tighten visas for Russian officials visiting Britain.

Read about it Here

[geraghd]

Shouldn't that be a large I for MI5/6?

[Thac0man]

While I would take anything Berezhovsky says with a pinch of salt, the diplomatic expulsions would fit the timing and as a response to another attempted murder.

'If' it is true, it would be an indication that Putin is operating further beyond the pale than hitherto realised. That would be very worrying. If Britian is holding revelations about this plot in reserve, it may be indicated by the Kremlins promised response to the diplomatic expulsions.

[meriwether]

This is very odd.
Everyone knows Putin is the prime candidate for having the last dude executed. Then he goes and brazenly tries to execute another guy?
Sounds a bit blunt and obvious to me. Could someone be trying to discredit Putin?

[johnfás]

Well even in regard to the pollonium poisoning there isn't necessarily evidence that Putin had a hand in it. It somewhat appears that Putin is giving a free hand to the FSB to deal with critics of the regime, this of course amounts to tacit support but removes any evidence from his doorstep. Not that it would matter much if the decisions were made from his office, paper trails and the Kremlin don't really go together.

[HP]

The FSB sure made a right haimes of getting rid of Litvinenko... they couldn't have drawn more attention to themselves if they'd tried... Polonium??? wtf? Surely a good old fashioned heart attack or even a traffic accident would have done the trick...?

But no... they had to go all headline grabbing James Bond style... who'd ha thunk it...?

As for "There's no evidence that Putin had a hand in it.." didn't Berezovsky say only last night on Newsnight that he was 100% sure Putin was behind it... sure what more do you need??

Halle Berry??

[Thac0man]

what more do you need??

Halle Berry??

Yes please!

[HP]

She could turn out to be Livinenko's long lost daughter.... she finds out about her father's death from the excellent news coverage that has even reached Beverly Hills... and now she wants to find the killer and exact her revenge.... whilst simultaneously saving the planet.

cue Babs Streisand with the new James Bond theme tune....

[Thac0man]

cue Babs Streisand with the new James Bond theme tune....

Might I suggest...

"Polonium eyes only"?

"Nobody does Litveneko better"?

"The spy who killed me"?

"Obscene-oh Royal"?

[Abaddon]

"Mi5/Mi6 foil Berezovsky assassination attempt" yeah right! More like it didn't suit them at the time for him to be killed. He'll get a bullet as soon as He is no use to the British.