Litvinenko's Last Request

(Prague, Czech Republic) Shortly before his death by poisoning from radioactive polonium 210, former Russian security officer Aleksandr Litvinenko made a special request.

From RFE/RL:

Litvinenko's father, Valter, told RFE/RL's Russian Service his son converted to Islam shortly before his death and wished to be buried according to Muslim tradition.

"He told me about his decision two days before he died. He said, 'Papa, I have to talk to you about something serious. I've become a Muslim,'" Walter Litvinenko said.

"I said, 'Sasha, it's your decision. As long as you don't become a communist or a satanist, that's the main thing.' I'm a Christian myself, but I have a granddaughter whose father is Kabardin -- my daughter's husband, he's Muslim as well," he continued. "We haven't lost God; we believe in God. But how to believe in God, how to pray -- everyone should do that in the way they consider best."

Valter Litvinenko, who described the conversion as "an important personal decision," said his son had been thinking about becoming a Muslim for some time because of growing disenchantment with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Frankly, something about this conversion just doesn't seem right. It's just too politically convenient. Consequently, I lean toward skepticism. Unfortunately, there's no way to ever know for sure.

Litvinenko's funeral hasn't been scheduled yet.