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23/07/2007
Russia critical of UK in Litvinenko row
Russia has criticised Britain's decision to expel four Russian diplomats in the row over the extradition of the main suspect in the Alexander Litvinenko murder, saying it was politically motivated.
Speaking at a press conference, Russia's deputy Prosecutor-General Alexander Zvyagintsev said that Britain's decision was "groundless, inappropriate, unjustified".
Referring to Britain's request for the extradition of Andrei Lugovoi, who is wanted to stand trial in the UK for Mr Litvinenko's murder, Mr Zvyagintsev said that the extradition was refused on the "basis of law".
Under the European Convention on Extradition 1957, Russia has the right to refuse the extradition of a citizen.
Mr Zvyagintsev also said that the Russians had grounds to doubt the "objectivity" of the British justice system and said that there was "no evidence" provided by the UK to suggest that there had been an "objective investigation" of the Litvinenko case by the Metropolitan Police.
The Prosecutor-General also said that he would not rule out the involvement of people from "Litvinenko's closest London circle".
Last week, Britain announced the expulsion of four Russian diplomats over Russia's refusal to extradite former KGB agent Mr Lugovoi to stand trial in the UK over Mr Litvineko's murder.
Mr Litvinenko, who was also a former KGB agent and a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died in a London hospital on November 23 last year after falling ill earlier that month.
A large dose of radioactive substance polonium-210 was found in his body and the substance was also later found in a series of locations around the capital.
Prosecutors in Britain want Mr Lugovoi to stand trial in the UK for Mr Litvinenko's murder. He has denied any involvement.
Russia has offered to put Mr Lugovoi on trial, but the UK’s director of public prosecutions, Sir Ken MacDonald, has turned down this offer.
Last Thursday, Russia announced that it would expel four UK diplomats as the row escalated.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that the government was "disappointed" that the Russians had not signified any new co-operation, adding that they regarded their decision to expel four staff as "completely unjustified".
(KMcA/SP)
Speaking at a press conference, Russia's deputy Prosecutor-General Alexander Zvyagintsev said that Britain's decision was "groundless, inappropriate, unjustified".
Referring to Britain's request for the extradition of Andrei Lugovoi, who is wanted to stand trial in the UK for Mr Litvinenko's murder, Mr Zvyagintsev said that the extradition was refused on the "basis of law".
Under the European Convention on Extradition 1957, Russia has the right to refuse the extradition of a citizen.
Mr Zvyagintsev also said that the Russians had grounds to doubt the "objectivity" of the British justice system and said that there was "no evidence" provided by the UK to suggest that there had been an "objective investigation" of the Litvinenko case by the Metropolitan Police.
The Prosecutor-General also said that he would not rule out the involvement of people from "Litvinenko's closest London circle".
Last week, Britain announced the expulsion of four Russian diplomats over Russia's refusal to extradite former KGB agent Mr Lugovoi to stand trial in the UK over Mr Litvineko's murder.
Mr Litvinenko, who was also a former KGB agent and a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died in a London hospital on November 23 last year after falling ill earlier that month.
A large dose of radioactive substance polonium-210 was found in his body and the substance was also later found in a series of locations around the capital.
Prosecutors in Britain want Mr Lugovoi to stand trial in the UK for Mr Litvinenko's murder. He has denied any involvement.
Russia has offered to put Mr Lugovoi on trial, but the UK’s director of public prosecutions, Sir Ken MacDonald, has turned down this offer.
Last Thursday, Russia announced that it would expel four UK diplomats as the row escalated.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that the government was "disappointed" that the Russians had not signified any new co-operation, adding that they regarded their decision to expel four staff as "completely unjustified".
(KMcA/SP)
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04 December 2006
Police to visit Russia as Litvinenko investigation continues
Police investigating the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko are to travel to Russia as part of the investigation. The announcement came as Home Secretary John Reid travelled to a meeting at the European Council in Brussels, where he briefed other EU interior ministers on the investigation.
Police to visit Russia as Litvinenko investigation continues
Police investigating the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko are to travel to Russia as part of the investigation. The announcement came as Home Secretary John Reid travelled to a meeting at the European Council in Brussels, where he briefed other EU interior ministers on the investigation.
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.
19 July 2007
Russia to expel four British diplomats
Russia will expel four UK diplomats as the row over their refusal to extradite the man suspected of murdering Alexander Litvinenko. The diplomats will have to leave Russia within ten days and visa applications for British officials are also set to be restricted.
Russia to expel four British diplomats
Russia will expel four UK diplomats as the row over their refusal to extradite the man suspected of murdering Alexander Litvinenko. The diplomats will have to leave Russia within ten days and visa applications for British officials are also set to be restricted.
31 May 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.
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.
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