I would agree with Mr. Berezovsky that he may be in trouble. But the source of his fear might rather be his association with the Israeli/Russian mafia. They may decide that he is too much of a liability, and that he could be more of an asset if found dead with a false trail back to the Kremlin. Putin is no saint but as any old Cold War intelligence officer would tell you; "the pea isn't under the cup you think".

The Israeli/Russian mafia? What the heck would that mean? Is that like saying that the French connection and the Chines triads also could be involved somehow. Why not state that the chicago Gambino mob family/San fransisco devision of IRA and the hawaian/Japanese branch of Yakusa might also be after this guys arse for the reason that he has been playing a little with their cousin orgs...? or is it just a bit to much of all those Ganster movies been flashed up ones eyes while sitting infront of the dumb tube for a bit to long? That must have been the most hilarious idea I have heard in a long time Claussen.

just a question, is the use of nuclear material by one country on foreign soil considered an act of war?

What is really concerning is not that he is a target or anyone else for that matter [we know this exists in many places] but that the use of this chemical which is very hard to come by unless obtained by someone who knew the right people to get is being used as though it's not a big deal. How many children, unknowing pregnant women, and others have been infected unknowingly in oursuit to kill just one person? Shameless it seems

Aaron, I don't know who is right, you or Michael, but one thing is certain, not a single russian oligarch is completely honest, nor any secret (or ex) secret agent for that matter. And one who is granted political asylum and nationality must have obtained it in exchange for something else. How are traitors treated here in the US or in Israel or anywhere else for that matter... If one thing, at least, Putin is in Russia, and not abusing the forbidden pleasures of our western world...

wasn't Putin was head of the KGB at some point? I'd say he knows a thing or two about the "disposal" business

hahah Putin is King of Russia and he's not abusing the "forbidden" pleasures of the Western world, like..I suppose..cable tv and wireless internet? What are all these forbidden pleasures i hear so many talking about and where can i find them? Let me tell you I can show you some very forbidden things to be found in and around the former Soviet Union. and Putin is former spymaster of the KGB. the DREADED worse than the bogeyman KGB. he's no altar boy i tell you. He's not even a madly corrupt vicar.

REALITY 101: Berezovsky's an arch criminal who's embezzled 100s of millions of dollars from AvtoVAZ and Aeroflot! Isn't it odd how he opposes the government who is trying to make him answer for his crimes?!? ROFLMAO!

Vlad the Killer wants to kill this man too. Stop him before he succeeds. Russia is a cesspool of crime and corruption and he is the ringleader assassin.

Common sense tells us the one who had the most to gain from his death is Putin, so he is the most likely culprit! Russia is more corrupt than mexico, and putin is the gringo incharge

This is an exact translation of the discussion between Putin (P), and his Security Chief (SC):

SC: we need your OK to eliminate ex-comrade Litvinenko
P: Who is this Litvinenko?
SC: An ex-KGB officer with strong affiliation to suspected Mafia bosses, accused of abuse of his KGB position for personal gains, convert to Islam with extreme views for (extreme) Sharia Law in Chechnya, extremely critical of the Russian Government (accuses us of Terrorist Acts against our own population)…
P: Where is he now?
SC: in London as a Political Refugee, very warmly accepted by the UK. Bodyguard and personal driver for the Chechen “Boss” living there (he is his closest neighbour, of course), etc etc.
P: never heard about this Litvinenko…
SC: This is exactly the problem. He is virtually unknown and unheard… But if we kill him in a spectacular way, it will bring a lot of very negative publicity for our security services, for Russia in general, and especially against you personally, comrade Putin…
P: Excellent plan. Use Dirty Radiation to leave as much suspicious signs as possible. Show them that we are not only very bad, but very stupid as well.
SC: And we are planning for the same date, when you are at the important Helsinki meeting with European Union, this will bring a very negative impact at the right time.
P: Superb timing, extremely wise plan. Carry on immediately, you have my OK.

The comment by spycop demystifies the issue, as regards Putin's culpability, impeccably, and maybe as regards that of the Russian state entirely.