Guess what?  Vladimir Putin is back in the news, shocking news that is... as we're accustomed to hear from the Kremlin! Putin's reputation as an autocrat who is always ready and willing to flirt with lawlessness in his global mysterious ventures, has taken on a new ominous aspect following a finding by British authorities that he "probably approved" the poisoning of former Russian spy and defector in London in 2006.

Putin has built a sordid record on justice and human rights. The inquiry's 328-page report cited "strong circumstantial evidence" of Kremlin responsibility in the death of Mr Litvinenko, who fled Russia and became a British citizen. The murder of Alexander Litvinenko with a cup of tea laced with polonium 210 - a very rare substance not known to be available beyond a government nuclear reactor - took place in the company of two Russian agents whom he met at the Millennium Hotel in London.

The murder of Litvinenko has long been suspected by British authorities to have been a state-sponsored operation by two Russian agents. But now, a year-long official inquiry has shockingly concluded that Vladimir Putin very likely played a decisive role. Obviously, this accusation prompted an immediate souring of relations between London and Moscow and sparked outraged denials from the Kremlin.

Alexander Litvinenko was a relentless critic of the Kremlin and particularly of Mr Putin. He died a miserable death 22 days after drinking that poisoned green tea at the Pine Bar of the Millennium Hotel. British authorities have repeatedly asked the Kremlin to extradite the two agents suspected of killing him. This request was rejected. But by now, everyone knows who Vladimir Putin is: how he works, how he ventures into lawlessness, how he hates critics and opposition, how he manipulates the facts and devises various devious methods when dealing with friends and foes alike. Alas, my friends, if you know the devil... well don't ask for him again.

 

Jos Edmond Zarb

Birkirkara