Germany adds new twist to Litvinenko case?

German police have passed documents relating to the murder of former Russian security officer Aleksandr Litvinenko to Russian authorities. The documents are now being translated and will be examined and used in the investigation.

Investigative committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said: “During a meeting with our colleagues in Hamburg we received documents that are of interest concerning the investigation into the murder of Litvinenko,” he said.

Germany has also provided information on the alleged murder attempt of Dmitry Kovtun – a businessman who met Litvinenko in London before his death.

Russian investigators have been in Hamburg for almost two weeks probing the case.

Aleksandr Litvinenko was poisoned by a radioactive substance known as Polonium 210 in London in November 2006.

Dmitry Kovtun was also hospitalised due to polonium poisoning but managed to recover.