The Russian thugocracy may still be fond of poisoning their enemies, or there may be even more sinister forces at work; but whoever killed Alexander Litvinenko used a very rare radioactive element to do it: Radioactive Link To Dead Spy.

A large quantity of radiation, probably from a substance called Polonium 210, has been found in the body of dead ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.

The “major dose” of alpha radiation was detected in his urine, said Government experts, who added that Polonium 210 is only dangerous if ingested.

They also revealed that police have found radiation at three locations: his Muswell Hill home, a central London sushi bar where he ate shortly before falling ill, and a hotel where he had met two Russians that morning.

Dr Pat Troop, head of the Health Protection Agency, said the death was an “unprecedented event in the UK” and he had “apparently been poisoned by a type of radiation”.

And in a bizarre twist, Litvinenko is reported to have converted to Islam before his death: Russians Blame Litvinenko Ally In Former Spy’s Death. (Hat tip: The UK Daily Pundit.)

Radio station Echo Moskvy reported Friday that Litvinenko converted to Islam. Litvinenko, it said, was read the Yasin surah, or prayer, and given Islamic death rites by an imam invited to the dying spy’s hospital bedside.

Ekho, a prominent liberal broadcaster funded by state-owned gas monopoly Gazprom, said Litvinenko would be buried in a Muslim cemetery in London. The station cited Chechenpress, the official news agency of the wartorn republic’s insurgency.

A statement dictated by Litvinenko two days before his death and read by friends on Friday said nothing about a conversion to Islam.