Arafat’s widow challenges French scientists’ over ‘natural death’ conclusion

Washington – Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s widow has challenged the findings of French scientists that the reason of her husband’s death was natural circumstances, instead of radioactive polonium poisoning.

Suha Arafat said that she is not convinced hat her husband died a natural death and has requested that the Swiss findings should be made available to French authorities, CNN reports.

The conclusion contradicts the findings of Swiss forensic scientists, who concluded last month that samples taken from Arafat’s exhumed body were consistent with polonium-210 exposure, but did not definitely prove that he was poisoned.

Arafat died on November 11, 2004, after a month’s illness at his West Bank headquarters.

The reason of his death was said to be a stroke and a blood-clotting problem, but records were inconclusive about what caused that condition.

Palestinians have long suspected Israel of poisoning him, however, Israel denies.