This statement is issued to clarify misconceptions and inaccuracies currently circulating in the
press relating to Julia Svetlichnaja.
Julia Svetlichnaja is a Russian born academic, journalist and PhD student at the University of
Westminster, living and working in London.
Since speaking to the press about her interviews and dealings with the late Alexander
Litvinenko, various articles have been published in newspapers and on websites alleging that Ms
Svetlichnaja is a Russian agent (or part of a Russian state campaign to discredit the late Mr
Litvinenko) and that her statements to the press have been motivated by her involvement in that
campaign rather than a desire to give a truthful account of her dealings with the late Mr
Litvinenko.
Ms Svetlichnaja gave a press conference on Friday 8 December at the University of Westminster
with her colleague James Heartfield who had worked with her on interviews with Mr Litvinenko. She
candidly answered questions from the various worldwide television and press representatives -
making it clear that she is not a Russian agent, has never worked for the Russian government nor
been in the services of the government.
She confirmed in answer to questioning concerning her employment with a company alleged to be
linked to the Russian State, that she had a part-time job from May 2005 to April 2006 (whilst
working on her PhD) obtained through a London employment agency. She was employed as a
journalist/webmaster for Diamond Bridge Advisory Services - a company based in London. She was
dismissed without reason in April 2006 and took legal action against the company which claimed that
she never worked for it.
Julia Svetlichnaja is taking legal action against The Sunday Times newspaper and Aftenposten, a
Norwegian publisher in relation to these inaccuracies. Any further inaccuracies will result in
additional legal action.
All enquiries should be directed through her solicitor Steven Heffer of Collyer Bristow LLP.
Address: 4 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4DF
Direct T: 020 7468 7211
Direct F: 020 7468 7311
E-mail: steven.heffer@collyerbristow.com