We are outraged by the fact that British Government decided to declare the huge bulk of case materials in Mr Litvinenko’s assassination case as secret, that inevitably leads to impossibility to consider the case impartially and in its entirety as the British justice system otherwise would require. We think that Mr Litvinenko was assassinated by Russian secret service as it used to be the case during the Cold War era. It is no wonder that the events caused an international row.

We understand the need for national security, as well as the importance for you of preserving commercial interests as well as your understanding of the needs of ordinary citizens. Thanks to you and other politicians before you Britain is one of the leading countries in the world. But we would like to remind you that Britain would have never become what she is now – without justice - happy living of the population is nothing even if developed economic state and high employment rates are guaranteed.

We are also puzzled why British Government gets involved in dubious negotiations with Russia – a State where persecution of citizens for their political views and civil stance is a norm.

It seems that by denying the open hearing in Litvinenko case you might preserve good commercial relationship with Moscow, but you will however loose the opportunity to establish the truth and to punish the perpetrators responsible for the crime committed. You will thus allow the scenario to repeat itself and thus you will defy the most sacred of the rights - the right to life.

No, just and open trial will not return to life Alexander Litvinenko, but such trial for all those who knew and loved him will give the faith in justice, law and fair trial. It will also give the faith in a State that once became a source of human rights that embraced and accepted and defended Alexander Litvinenko, but ultimately failed to protect him. Therefore we think that this State owes it to our friend after his agonising death – to make sure that just and fair trial takes place and justice is served. His widow is seeking justice for her husband now for many years regretfully to no avail so far.

Mr Litvinenko dedicated his life to fight with inhumane crimes and atrocities committed by the Russian secret service and in the end he fell a victim of such crime himself. Having declared materials in his case for secret hearings, you destroy everything he lived for and died for. Mr Litvinenko’s murder should not remain yet another spy story in the spirit of the Cold War era. It is down to you now to see whether this case will be a victory for impartial British justice system or this case will remain a dark mystery from the books about the knights of knives and raincoats.

By pursuing short-term economic gains, British government forsakes the long term tradition of defending human rights in general and most importantly a right of everyone - a right for life. It also forgets that defending human rights is of paramount importance for the British people pride in their country.

We consider that it is in the interests of national security to conduct a just and fair investigation and inquest into the death of Mr. Litvinenko till the fair and just verdict is reached. Obviously national security is not limited to the interests of the British secret service. It is directly connected to each and every British citizen walking the streets of London and eats in public places. Terror assassination committed in 2006 cannot take place again and it should not remain unpunished, in the same way as the terror death of the British drummer on 22 May 2013 in Woolwich will not remain unpunished. If the case of Litvinenko will be a subject to secret evidence hearings – then the justice will not be served and then no one visiting Great Britain will feel safe on its territory. Thus the British Government will seize to be a symbol of justice and fair trial, instead Great Britain will be considered a country of arbitrariness and extrajudicial killings.

It is in your hands to restore justice and the rule of law! 

Yours sincerely,

Andrey Sidelnikov
The Chairman of International movement “Speak Up!”

[Address supplied]