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19/07/2007
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.
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."
Meanwhile Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson Mikhail Kamynin said that the escalating row meant that co-operation between Russia and the UK on the war on terror was now "impossible."
On Monday, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats over Russia's refusal to extradite former KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi to stand trial in the UK over the murder of Alexander Litvinenko last year.
Mr Litvinenko, who was 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.
The substance was also later found in a series of locations around the capital.
Prosecutors in Britain wanted Andrei Lugovoi to stand trial in the UK for Mr Litvinenko's murder. He has denied any involvement in the murder.
However, under the European Convention on Extradition 1957, Russia has the right to refuse the extradition of a citizen.
While Russia has offered to put Lugovoi on trial, but the UK's director of public prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald, has already turned down the offer.
(KMcA)
The diplomats will have to leave Russia within ten days and visa applications for British officials are also set to be restricted.
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."
Meanwhile Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson Mikhail Kamynin said that the escalating row meant that co-operation between Russia and the UK on the war on terror was now "impossible."
On Monday, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats over Russia's refusal to extradite former KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi to stand trial in the UK over the murder of Alexander Litvinenko last year.
Mr Litvinenko, who was 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.
The substance was also later found in a series of locations around the capital.
Prosecutors in Britain wanted Andrei Lugovoi to stand trial in the UK for Mr Litvinenko's murder. He has denied any involvement in the murder.
However, under the European Convention on Extradition 1957, Russia has the right to refuse the extradition of a citizen.
While Russia has offered to put Lugovoi on trial, but the UK's director of public prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald, has already turned down the offer.
(KMcA)
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23 July 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.
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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.
17 July 2007
Russia issues warning over diplomats' expulsions
The Kremlin has warned Britain that it faces "serious consequences" over the decision to expel four Russian diplomats from the country's embassy in London. The move came after Russia's refusal to extradite the former KGB agent accused of murdering Alexander Litvinenko in Britain last year.
Russia issues warning over diplomats' expulsions
The Kremlin has warned Britain that it faces "serious consequences" over the decision to expel four Russian diplomats from the country's embassy in London. The move came after Russia's refusal to extradite the former KGB agent accused of murdering Alexander Litvinenko in Britain last year.
16 July 2007
Russian diplomats expelled from UK
The government has announced that four Russian diplomats will be expelled from the country's embassy in London following Moscow's refusal to extradite the main suspect in the murder of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.
Russian diplomats expelled from UK
The government has announced that four Russian diplomats will be expelled from the country's embassy in London following Moscow's refusal to extradite the main suspect in the murder of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.
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.
26 June 2003
Blair and Putin agree trade and environmental goals
Growing economic ties between the UK and the Russian Federation were strengthened today as the countries' leaders agreed to work together on increasing investment and development in energy.
Blair and Putin agree trade and environmental goals
Growing economic ties between the UK and the Russian Federation were strengthened today as the countries' leaders agreed to work together on increasing investment and development in energy.
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