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31/05/2007
Litvinenko murder suspect blames MI6
The main suspect in the murder of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko has claimed that the British secret services were involved in his death.
Andre Lugovi also claimed that MI6 tried to recruit him as a spy and claimed that Mr Litvinenko was working for them as well.
Andre Lugovi made the claims during a news conference in Moscow. Mr Lugovi, also a former KGB agent, claimed that he was "openly recruited" by the British Secret Service and claimed that they asked him to collect "compromising information" about Russian President Vladimir Putin and his family.
However, Mr Lugovi said that he refused.
Referring to the murder of Mr Litvinenko last November, Mr Lugovi said that he had been made a scapegoat. He said: "Sasha [Mr Litvinenko] was not my enemy. I didn't feel cold or hot from whatever he was doing, about the books he was writing. I've been in business for a long time and I was not really interested."
Mr Lugovi suggested that Mr Litvinenko may have been killed because of his links to MI6 or exiled Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky - who he also claimed was working for MI6 - or because he was working to uncover evidence about the Russian mafia.
Mr Berezovsky has denied any involvement in Mr Litvinenko's death, while former KGB officer and British agent Oleg Gordievsky told the BBC that Mr Litvinenko had not worked for the British secret services.
Mr Litvinenko died in a London hospital last November. A large dose of the radioactive substance polonium-210 was found in his body.
Britain has requested the extradition of Mr Lugovi from Russia last week so that he could be charged with Mr Litvinenko's murder.
However, the Russian state prosecutor said that Mr Lugovi would not be extradited.
(KMcA/SP)
Andre Lugovi also claimed that MI6 tried to recruit him as a spy and claimed that Mr Litvinenko was working for them as well.
Andre Lugovi made the claims during a news conference in Moscow. Mr Lugovi, also a former KGB agent, claimed that he was "openly recruited" by the British Secret Service and claimed that they asked him to collect "compromising information" about Russian President Vladimir Putin and his family.
However, Mr Lugovi said that he refused.
Referring to the murder of Mr Litvinenko last November, Mr Lugovi said that he had been made a scapegoat. He said: "Sasha [Mr Litvinenko] was not my enemy. I didn't feel cold or hot from whatever he was doing, about the books he was writing. I've been in business for a long time and I was not really interested."
Mr Lugovi suggested that Mr Litvinenko may have been killed because of his links to MI6 or exiled Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky - who he also claimed was working for MI6 - or because he was working to uncover evidence about the Russian mafia.
Mr Berezovsky has denied any involvement in Mr Litvinenko's death, while former KGB officer and British agent Oleg Gordievsky told the BBC that Mr Litvinenko had not worked for the British secret services.
Mr Litvinenko died in a London hospital last November. A large dose of the radioactive substance polonium-210 was found in his body.
Britain has requested the extradition of Mr Lugovi from Russia last week so that he could be charged with Mr Litvinenko's murder.
However, the Russian state prosecutor said that Mr Lugovi would not be extradited.
(KMcA/SP)
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03 April 2007
Campaign launched in memory of Alexander Litvinenko
A campaign has been launched by the widow and friends of murdered former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko in his name. The Litvinenko Justice Foundation aims to put pressure on both the British and Russian governments to find those responsible for Mr Litvinenko's death.
Campaign launched in memory of Alexander Litvinenko
A campaign has been launched by the widow and friends of murdered former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko in his name. The Litvinenko Justice Foundation aims to put pressure on both the British and Russian governments to find those responsible for Mr Litvinenko's death.
23 May 2007
Talks continue over Litvinenko murder
Diplomatic negotiations are continuing between the UK and Russia in an attempt to secure the extradition of a former KGB officer accused of the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. On Tuesday, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that it has enough evidence to charge Andrey Lugovoy with the murder of Mr Litvinenko.
Talks continue over Litvinenko murder
Diplomatic negotiations are continuing between the UK and Russia in an attempt to secure the extradition of a former KGB officer accused of the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. On Tuesday, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that it has enough evidence to charge Andrey Lugovoy with the murder of Mr Litvinenko.
22 May 2007
Man faces charge over Litvinenko murder
A Russian man is facing being charged with the murder of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko. The Crown Prosecution Service has announced that it has enough evidence to charge Andrey Lugovoy with the murder of Mr Litvinenko and will now seek to have him extradited from Russia so that he can be charged with murder in the UK.
Man faces charge over Litvinenko murder
A Russian man is facing being charged with the murder of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko. The Crown Prosecution Service has announced that it has enough evidence to charge Andrey Lugovoy with the murder of Mr Litvinenko and will now seek to have him extradited from Russia so that he can be charged with murder in the UK.
05 December 2006
British police continue Litvinenko investigation in Moscow
British police officers investigating the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko have arrived in Moscow to continue their inquiry.
British police continue Litvinenko investigation in Moscow
British police officers investigating the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko have arrived in Moscow to continue their inquiry.
01 December 2006
Italian tests positive for radiation
Italian Mario Scaramella, one of the men who met with poisoned former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko on the day he fell ill, has tested positive for polonium 210, it has emerged.
Italian tests positive for radiation
Italian Mario Scaramella, one of the men who met with poisoned former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko on the day he fell ill, has tested positive for polonium 210, it has emerged.
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