Russian accused of murdering Putin enemy Alexander Litvinenko dies of Covid

POISONER Dmitry Kovtun — accused of murdering Putin enemy Alexander Litvinenko in London — has died of Covid aged 56. The death will increase speculation that Kovtun also poisoned himself with polonium-210 when he spiked Litvinenko’s tea at a hotel in the capital in 2006. ReutersDmitry Kovtun has died of Covid aged 56[/caption] Kovtun was accused of murdering Putin enemy Alexander Litvinenko in LondonGetty Fellow ex-FSB operative Andrei Lugovoy — also accused of Litvinenko’s killing — confirmed Kovtun’s death in Moscow. Lugovoy, 55, now an ultranationalist Russian MP, said: “We have the sad news that my close and loyal friend Dmitry Kovtun passed away suddenly as a result of a serious illness linked to a coronavirus infection. “Sleep well, dear friend! We will never forget you.” Russian news agency Tass confirmed the death. Read more on Litvinenko RUSSIAN ROULETTE I'm an ex-KGB spy living in UK - Putin wants me dead just like Litvinenko BLOOD MONEY Litvinenko's wife sues Russia for £3m over radiation death 'ordered by Putin' The pair always denied involvement in poising Litvinenko, who died aged 43, but Britain alleged the assassination was ordered by Putin or his circle. A trail of the radioactive agent on plane seats led back to Moscow and to Germany — where Kovtun was based at the time. Both men were subject to sanctions but Russia always refused to allow their extradition for trial in Britain. Most read in News BRIDGE HORROR Shocking moment man jumps off bridge after being Tasered by cops BABY TRAGEDY Baby just eight-months-old found dead at home as cops launch probe MUM’S GRIEF Cops asked me if I wanted candle toff pal shoved down son's throat to kill him HIGH ALERT Suspicious vehicle found at Trafalgar Square before controlled explosion WIRE & FURY I live in town guarded by UK's 'worst police force' & thugs are running riot TYRANT'S END Putin could be killed by generals with his death covered up as 'heart attack'