Alexander Litvinenko was a triple agent working for MI6 and the Spanish secret service when he died, a coroner has heard.
Mr Litvinenko had been hired by MI6 for a number of years and was working with Spain to investigate the Russian mafia shortly before his death, a pre-inquest review was told.
He would regularly meet with an MI6 handler, named only as Martin, in central London and was paid by both the British and Spanish secret services into a joint bank account he held with his wife, the hearing was told.
The British Government also believes it has found evidence showing that the Russian state was involved in Mr Litvinenko's death.
The ex-KGB agent was poisoned with polonium-210 after allegedly drinking tea at a meeting with two former Russian colleagues in London's Milennium Hotel in November 2006.
He died three weeks later in University College Hospital - after authorising the release of a photo showing the devastating impact of radiation poisoning on his body.
The former spy's wife Marina arrives at the pre-inquest review Russia has refused to extradite the prime suspects, Andrei Lugovoy and Dmitry Kovtun, both of whom deny involvement.
The hearing also revealed for the first time that Mr Lugovoy - now a Russian MP - was double-crossing his government and helping with an investigation into the Russian mafia's links with the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Hugh Davies, counsel to the inquest into Mr Litvinenko's death, said assessments of confidential material submitted by the British Government had "established a prima facie case as to the culpability of the Russian state in the death of Alexander Litvinenko".
Ben Emmerson QC, representing Mr Litvinenko's wife Marina, said the inquest should also consider whether MI6 failed in its duty to protect against a "real and immediate risk to life".
Assessments of confidential material submitted by the British Government had shown no evidence to suggest it was involved in the poisoning of Mr Litvinenko or that it failed to take necessary steps to protect him, Mr Davies said.
Dmitry Kovtun (L) and Andrei Lugovoy (R) deny involvement in the murder The evidence also ruled out the involvement of other parties, including friend Boris Berezovsky, Chechen-related groups and the Spanish mafia, he added.
Mr Emmerson said Mr Litvinenko had been asked by MI6 to work with the Spanish secret service and the inquest should consider whether "detailed risk assessments" were carried out.
He had been due to travel to Spain with Mr Lugovoy shortly before his death to provide intelligence in the Russian mafia investigation, Mr Emmerson said.
The investigation was looking at links between Russian political parties, organised crime and arms trafficking, he added.
Neil Garnham QC, representing the Home Office, told the hearing he could "neither confirm nor deny" whether Mr Litvinenko was employed by British intelligence services.
The Russian Federation has now indicated its wish to become an interested party in the inquest, which is to be held on May 1.
The inquest will be held before High Court judge Sir Robert Owen, who has been appointed assistant deputy coroner.
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