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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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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