Man Cleared of Radiation Contamination

Italian academic Mario Scaramella is seen in this 2006 photo taken in Naples, southern Italy, and made available Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006. Scaramella confirmed that he met with former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko at a sushi bar in London on Nov. 1 before the former agent was taken to an emergency room suffering from stomach pains and nausea. Litvinenko died in hospital on Nov. 23 by apparent poisoning. Investigators are trying to piece together details of what company he was keeping in his last days and who might have wanted to kill him. (AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta) (Salvatore Laporta - AP)

But Scaramella told the AP that he had been misquoted by the newspaper.

"He (Litvinenko) wanted to see me because he knew about smuggling of nuclear material, but as far as I know he was never involved in nuclear smuggling," he said.

London police say they are investigating the case as a "suspicious death" rather than murder, although they have devoted a large anti-terrorist force to the investigation.

Scaramella said he had been cleared of any involvement in the 43-year-old former spy's death.

"Let me take the opportunity to say that I'm not under investigation by any British authority," he said. "I am cooperating with them (the police)." Police declined to say whom they had spoken to.

Scaramella said he showed Litvinenko e-mails from a confidential source identifying the possible killers of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya and listing other potential targets for assassination _ including himself and Litvinenko.

Following Litvinenko's death, more than 1,100 people called a health hot line over concerns they might be at risk from polonium poisoning, which is deadly in tiny amounts if ingested or inhaled. Sixty-eight have been referred to health authorities, the Health Protection Agency said _ including the 49 hospital staff.

Eight have been referred to a special clinic as a precaution. The tests should take about a week.

Traces of radiation have been found at six sites visited by Litvinenko.

A coroner will perform an autopsy on Litvinenko on Friday, "subject to appropriate precautions," in a bid to pin down the cause and circumstances of the death, said the local authority responsible, Camden Council.

Doctors had sought expert advice on whether Litvinenko's radioactive body posed a threat to the doctors and technicians performing the post-mortem.

A coroner's inquest will be opened Thursday and then adjourned until the police investigation is complete, the council said.

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Associated Press Writers Jill Lawless in London and Ariel David in Rome contributed to this report.