Ukrainian politician 'poisoned with biological agent'

International experts will help investigate whether a Ukrainian presidential candidate was poisoned by toxins normally found in biological weapons, Austrian doctors treating him said tonight.

One doctor said he was under police protection after receiving an anonymous threat.

Physicians treating Viktor Yushchenko at the private Rudolfinerhaus hospital in Vienna said they were unable to explain certain of the patient’s symptoms, particularly his strong backaches.

“His symptoms … differ from all that we have ever seen before,” hospital director Michael Zimpfer said.

The doctors have requested the help of foreign experts to examine whether Yushchenko’s illness could be related to biological weapons toxins, Zimpfer said, but added there was no firm evidence of a link.

In a letter to Yushchenko, Zimpfer and chief physician Lothar Wicke wrote that ”the symptoms and the development of the illnesses do not correspond to that known in civilian medicine”.

“We need the help of a specialist for military operations and biological weapons,” the letter said.

Yushchenko, a top opposition leader in Ukraine, flew to Vienna on September 10 after becoming ill. He accused Ukrainian authorities of poisoning him - something they deny.

Yushchenko returned home in mid-September to resume campaigning for elections to replace outgoing President Leonid Kuchma. Yushchenko is a top candidate, along with Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, who has Kuchma’s backing.

Yushchenko’s lawyer, Heinz-Dietmar Schimanko, said he would fight a decision by a Vienna court Thursday to hand over his client’s medical records to the General Prosecutor’s office.

Yushchenko, who returned to the Austrian hospital late last month for more treatment, is expected back in Ukraine by Sunday.