Former Russian spy's book attracting high Internet bids

LONDON: Sale of the 2002 book co-written by the former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko who died of suspected radioactive poisoning  are selling on the Internet at up to 30 times their orginal price.   

Two copies of Blowing Up Russia: Terror from Within are currently available on the British online book store Amazon for 189 pounds for a new version and nearly 237 for a second-hand edition.   

The book's publisher SPI Books, a small US outfit that specialises in works on politics, terrorism and military affairs, if offering it on its Internet site at 13.95 dollars plus postage.   

On the online auction site eBay, a copy signed by Litvinenko in 2005 was put up for sale five days ago and has three days left for bids. On Saturday afternoon, 16 bids had been submitted and had reached 100 pounds.   

"Dear Diane. Thank you for the help and support!" the former Russian secret service agent signed.   

The book, co-written by the US-based Russian historian Yuri Felshtinsky, argues that the Federal Security Services (FSB) -- a successor to the KGB -- co-ordinated a series of blasts in Moscow and other Russian cities in 1999.   

The explosions, which took place over a two-month period, are thought to have killed more than 300 people.   

Russian authorities blamed Chechen separatists and allegedly used the blasts as an excuse for a renewed offensive against the breakaway former Soviet republic.   

The book also claims that the Russian secret services organised a number of assassinations and kidnappings.