A widow’s fight against Vladimir Putin

Polonium murder, the Litvinenko case

Thursday January 19 at 9:10 p.m. on M6

Former FSB agent, Alexander Litvinenko became a target after having publicly denounced the corruption of the Russian secret services and its ramifications up to the top of the state. A refugee in London with his family in 2000, he had just obtained British nationality when he was poisoned by a colorless and odorless radioactive substance, polonium 210, half a grain of sand of which can kill thousands of people. Inspired by the tragic story of the whistleblower who died in November 2006, this four-part mini-series, produced by the British channel ITV, traces the meticulous investigation carried out by Scotland Yard and obstructed by the English government in the name of maintaining “good” diplomatic relations with the Kremlin. After a first episode devoted to the confession of Litvinenko (played by David Tennant) on his deathbed, we follow the police in their research to identify the culprits and isolate potentially contaminated places in order to protect Londoners.

In one of the most successful passages of the series, they are rolled in flour during a trip to Moscow to interrogate suspects. The arrogance and trickery of the authorities echo recent events. The final installment focuses on Litvinenko’s widow’s relentless struggle for justice, despite relentless intimidation from an invisible enemy.

If the series signed George Kay, creator of Lupin (Netflix), suffers from many drops in rhythm and from a realization without much relief, the highly romantic nature of the facts and the undeniable quality of the distribution end up winning. The actress Margarita Levieva brings dignity and sensitivity to her courageous mother character. At 10:55 p.m., two documentaries also return to the case and the hunt for Russian oligarchs following European sanctions in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Source