Will Lugovoi still stand trial?

Almost a year after UK prosecutors recommended that a former KGB officer should be charged with the murder by poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in London, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner asks whether Britain is any closer to bringing Andrei Lugovoi to trial. Locked up in a safe in a high-security area of the Crown Prosecution Service building in London is "The Lugovoi File"'… Russia has so far refused to extradite Andrei Lugovoi, who is now a Russian MP, saying it would be against its constitution to do so. He has always insisted that he too was a victim of polonium poisoning at the time and not a perpetrator.

As long as he stays in Russia there is little chance of his coming to trial in Britain and British government officials said this month that "things essentially have not moved on"……(BBC, 19 May 08)

FSB Looking Forward to Apology of Britain

Russia’s Federal Security Service, FSB, is expecting Britain to apologize for the accusations brought in time of the probe into the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. The apology is needed to resume FSB’s cooperation with Britain’s detectives, said Viktor Komogorov, who heads the FSB Information and Foreign Ties Service, RIA Novosti reported. “They are blocking all our initiatives, no one does it except them,” Komogorov said, signaling that speaking of any efficient cooperation of FSB and Scotland Yard would be too optimistic today. “They accuse us of something odd, although completely groundlessly, completely far-fetched,” the official said without specifying the actual charges. Ex-officer of FSB Alexander Litvinenko, who had been granted political asylum in Britain, died in London November 2006. The cause of his death was poisoning by polonium 210, showed the investigation of Scotland Yard……(Kommersant, 19 May 08)

Russia ready to cooperate with Britain on Litvinenko case – FSB

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Sunday it was prepared to cooperate with Britain in investigating the case of poisoned defector Alexander Litvinenko after London lifted its unfounded accusations. Former Russian security service officer Litvinenko died of radioactive poisoning in London in November 2006. London accused Russia's security services of their complicity in Litvinenko's death. "We are ready for cooperation and interaction with them [British security services] but the first step should be made by Britain. We expect them to apologize for unfounded accusations as we are absolutely uninvolved in what they accuse us," Viktor Komogorov, head of the FSB operative information and international relations service said…..(RIA Novosti, 18 May 08)

The Litvinenko files: Was he really murdered?

Alexander Litvinenko died on 23 November 2006, after a mysterious and painful illness. The cause was identified, less than two hours before his death, by scientists at the British government's Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston. They found that he had been poisoned, with the radioactive isotope polonium-210…Now, maybe the simple and obvious explanation is the correct one. Maybe Putin, a former KGB man – "once a chekist, always a chekist", as the saying goes (Lenin's Cheka was the forerunner of the KGB) – had personally issued the order to punish Litvinenko as the traitor that, in his eyes, he undoubtedly was. If you think it a stretch to believe that Putin himself commissioned the dirty deed, how about a splinter group of resentful erstwhile KGB colleagues?....(Independent, 2 May 08)

Litvinenko widow wants jury to get police evidence

The widow of poisoned Russian emigre Alexander Litvinenko wants an inquest into his death to be held before a jury and examine the evidence gathered by British police, her lawyer said on Tuesday. Marina Litvinenko filed a formal request last Friday to resume a London inquest that opened after her husband's death in November 2006 but adjourned while police conducted a murder investigation, in a case which badly hurt Anglo-Russian ties.Given Russia's refusal to extradite Andrei Lugovoy, who British prosecutors suspect of poisoning Litvinenko with radioactive polonium, she believes there will be no trial and wants police to disclose for the first time the evidence uncovered in their investigations……(Reuters, 25 Mar 08)

The Specter That Haunts the Death of Litvinenko

On December 1, 2006, one of the eeriest autopsies in the annals of crime was conducted at the Royal London Hospital. Three British pathologists, covered from head to toe in white protective suits, stood around a radioactive corpse that had been sealed in plastic for nearly a week. The victim was Alexander Litvinenko, a 44-year-old ex-KGB officer who had defected from Russia to England in November 2000 and had drawn on his experience to denounce the government of the newly installed President Putin. What the pathologists found is still a state secret. The mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Litvinenko, apparently from radiation poisoning, spawned an international crisis. Britain demanded that Russia extradite a Russian citizen allegedly connected to the case. When it refused, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats from London, in reprisals reminiscent of the Cold War. The British authorities had told the press, "We are 100 percent sure who administered the poison, where and how,"….(New York Sun, 19 Mar 08)

Litvinenko Poisoning Caused Limited Public Concern

…During major public health incidents, health agencies and emergency services often need to reassure the public about the level of risk involved, advise them of measures that are being taken to safeguard public health, and specify what actions individuals can take to minimise their own risk. Learning lessons from any relevant events that occur in the real world is therefore vital…..(Science Daily 2 Nov 07)

Litvinenko scare useful test for 'dirty bomb' attack: experts

The murder of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, poisoned by polonium 210, showed how authorities should handle any terror attack involving radiological weapons, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) says. By being swift, clear and factual in telling the public about what had happened and about the risks from the highly radioactive element used in the killing, the British authorities were able to stem any panic or stigma, it says in next Saturday's issue……(AFP, 2 Nov 07)

Litvinenko suspect: Death may be accident

…Lugovoy and his business partner Dmitri Kovtun said at their Moscow news conference that Litvinenko may have operated within the nuclear black market at the behest of MI6, the British secret service. The two men met with Litvinenko shortly before his death at London's Millennium Hotel….(UPI, 2 Nov 07)

Widow of Poisoned Russian Spy Accuses Putin of Stalling Murder Probe

The widow of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of stalling a British inquiry into her husband's murder, and turning the prime suspect into a hero…..(Voice of America, 1 Nov 07)

UK spies trying to destabilize Russia: Lugovoy

…Former KGB officer Andrei Lugovoy, speaking exactly a year after meeting Litvinenko on the day he fell ill, said he had been caught in a web of intrigue that senior figures in Britain were using to damage Russia. "For the past 15 years in particular, they have been doing everything they can to abase Russia and discredit her on the world stage," Lugovoy told reporters….(Reuters, 1 Nov 07)

Poisoned Russian dissident 'was an MI6 agent'

The Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko, who died after being poisoned, was an MI6 agent, it has been claimed……(Scotsman, 28 Oct 07)

Litvinenko's widow refutes MI6 claim

The widow of the murdered Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko has denied new claims her husband worked for MI6…..(Telegraph Group, 28 Oct 07)

Russian nationalist party names Litvinenko killing suspect as top parliamentary candidate

The vehemently nationalist Liberal Democratic Party on Monday named the prime suspect in the killing of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko to a top slot on its list for parliamentary candidates, Russian news reports said. Andrei Lugovoi was chosen at a party congress to be second on its candidate list for the Dec. 2 elections, the reports said. Lugovoi has been named by Britain as its chief suspect in last year's killing in London of Litvinenko, who died of poisoning by a rare radioactive isotope. Russia has refused Britain's demand that Lugovoi be extradited to face trial in the murder, saying that its constitution prevents the move…..(AP, 17 Sep 07)

Polonium Traced to 4 New Sites

British authorities on Friday disclosed four new London locations, including a Moroccan restaurant and a lap-dancing club, at which investigators have found the kind of radiation that killed former Russian intelligence agent Alexander Litvinenko in November. The investigation stretched over 47 locations…..(Washington Post, 18 Aug 07)

Anglo-Russian Tit For Tat

Diplomatic relations between Britain and Russia have reached a new low point. London wants Russia to extradite the man they suspect of killing former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko. But the Russians have their own demands, and neither side is budging…From Moscow's point of view, extraditing Lugovoi would be a needless gesture of accommodation, almost one of meekness, since the British have consistently refused similar Russian requests in the past.....(Spiegel, 23 Jul 07)

Brown: 'Hand over Litvinenko murder suspect'

Gordon Brown has renewed his demand for Russia to hand over the prime suspect in the Litvinenko murder, describing the situation as "intolerable".The Prime Minister today insisted Russia had a "responsibility" to extradite Andrei Lugovoi so he can stand trial for the killing of former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko in the UK….(Telegraph, 23 Jul 07)

Britain’s envoy challenges Moscow over extradition

…Sir Anthony Brenton, the British Ambassador in Moscow, said yesterday that Russia could get around the prohibition if it wanted to cooperate in bringing Andrei Lugovoy to trial. Mr Lugovoy is accused of poisoning Litvinenko with radioactive polonium210 at a London hotel in November, but insists that he is innocent…Russia says that Article 61 of its Constitution forbids extradition of citizens to face trial abroad. It has offered to try Mr Lugovoy in Moscow if Britain presents sufficient evidence, but the Crown Prosecution Service has insisted that the trial should take place in London….(Times Online, 23 Jul 07)

Litvinenko: clues point to Kremlin

The senior British official was unequivocal. The murder of the former KGB man Alexander Litvinenko was “undeniably state-sponsored terrorism on Moscow’s part. That is the view at the highest levels of the British government”…..(Times Online, 22 Jul 07)

Russia Expels 4 British Envoys

Russia expelled four British diplomats on Thursday, retaliating three days after officials in London ordered four Russians out of the country in a dispute over a murder investigation…..(Washington Post, 20 Jul 07)

Putin speaks over spy row

Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted relations between Britain and Moscow will recover from what he called a "mini-crisis"…..(ITV, 19 Jul 07)

UK expels four Russian diplomats

The UK is to expel four diplomats from the Russian embassy in London after Moscow refused to extradite the suspect in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko. Foreign Secretary David Miliband also said co-operation with Russia on a range of issues was under review. Prosecutors want Andrei Lugovoi, an ex-KGB officer, to face trial in the UK. He denies involvement…..(BBC, 16 Jul 07)

A Criminal-Diplomatic Affair

The British authorities are treating Russia's refusal to extradite Andrei Lugovoi as a provocation. Yesterday the British Embassy in Moscow told Kommersant that the matter of the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, which until now has been considered a purely criminal case, is now on the level of relations between the two countries' foreign ministries….(Kommersant, 12 Jul 07)

Britain risks a Cold War clash to get justice for poisoned spy

Western sources acknowledged that the two countries were on “a path to confrontation” after President Putin refused to extradite Andrei Lugovoy to stand trial in London. Britain is expected to underscore official anger at the Kremlin by imposing punitive measures on Russia within days…..(Times Online, 12 Jul 07)

Lugovoy Accuses Britain Of Poor Detective Work

The main suspect in the London murder of ex-agent Alexander Litvinenko said on Wednesday that Britain was trying to cover up for its poor detective work in the case by complaining about Moscow's refusal to extradite him…..(Reuters, 11 Jul 07)

Russia refuses to extradite Litvinenko spy

…"This was a crime that was committed in London, the evidence and the witnesses are in the United Kingdom and we do not have confidence that a trial in Moscow would meet the standards of impartiality and fairness that we would deem necessary." The Prime Minister's spokesman added that Britain was now considering further options following Russia's decision not to hand over Mr Lugovoi, who is wanted over the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in London. The spokesman hinted that Britain may take retaliatory measures…..(Telegraph, 10 Jul 07)

U.K. condemns Russian decision on spy murder suspect

Britain condemned Russia's refusal to extradite the main suspect in the murder of emigre Alexander Litvinenko as "unacceptable" on Tuesday and said it was reviewing cooperation with Moscow. A spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Russia's response was "extremely disappointing" and Britain was unsure that suspect Andrei Lugovoy, a former state security agent, would get a fair trial if it was held in Russia…..(Reuters, 10 Jul 07)

Russia tax inspector 'spy' probed

Authorities in Russia are investigating allegations that a former Russian tax inspector spied for Britain. The Federal Security Service (FSB) said Vyachaslav Zharko was recruited by agents from Britain's MI6 foreign intelligence service. Correspondents say the move is part of a row between Britain and Russia over the murder in London last year of Russian ex-agent Alexander Litvinenko…..(BBC, 9 Jul 07)

Chechen emissary dismisses MI6 spy story

Chechen separatist envoy Akhmed Zakayev said claims by a former major in the Russian tax police and self-confessed spy, that he cooperated with MI6 are ridiculous…Vyacheslav Zharko, who earlier admitted working for British intelligence, said Saturday the murdered defector Alexander Litvinenko and fugitive Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky introduced him to MI6. "Zharko's statements have been made to lend credence to the theory floated by the Russian authorities alleging that MI6 was involved in Litvinenko's death,"….(RIA Novosti, 9 Jul 07)

Boris Berezovsky Counted among the Spies

The FSB announced a new espionage case yesterday based on testimony from former major in the tax police Vyacheslav Zharko, who claims that the British MI6 tried to recruit him. According to Zharko, political emigrant Boris Berezonvsky and former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko introduced him to MI6 agents. Alexander Goldfarb, head of the Foundation for Civil Liberties, thinks the case is a smear campaign against Berezovsky…..(Kommersant, 8 Jul 07)

Report: Russia Won't Extradite Suspect

Russian prosecutors have officially refused Britain's request to extradite a businessman accused in last year's fatal poisoning of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko…Interfax cited what it said was an informed source as saying that that Prosecutor General's refusal to turn over Andrei Lugovoi was based on a constitutional prohibition against turning over Russian citizens to foreign nations…In May, Britain accused Lugovoi, a former KGB agent-turned-businessman, of involvement in the killing Litvinenko, who died in a London hospital in November from a fatal dose of the radioactive substance, polonium 210….(AP, 5 Jul 07)

Russia blocks UK extradition plea

Russia has officially refused a UK extradition request for Andrei Lugovoi, the prime suspect in the murder of Russian ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko. The Russian Prosecutor General's Office said the constitution did not allow for the extradition of its citizens. However, it said it would consider the possibility that Mr Lugovoi could be put on trial in Russia….(BBC, 5 Jul 07)

Russia charges UK-based Berezovsky with coup plot

Russian prosecutors have brought criminal charges against emigre tycoon Boris Berezovsky on suspicion of plotting to seize power, his lawyer said today. The Russian billionaire, a fierce Kremlin critic who lives in London, has been formally accused by Russian authorities of plotting a coup….(Daily Mail, 2 Jul 07)

FSB Identifies Man in British Spy Flap

The Federal Security Service on Friday identified the citizen whom the Britain foreign intelligence agency MI6 purportedly tried to recruit as Vyacheslav Zharko, a former member of a special forces unit…The FSB has said Zharko turned over the names of British intelligence officers he had met with and other details. Britain's Home Office declined to comment on the Russian allegations…..(AP, 2 Jul 07)

Ex-security officer admits spying for British secret service

A former Russian security service officer has admitted working for British intelligence and receiving money for the reports he provided, Russia's NTV television company said Friday. However, the TV channel reported, "A former intelligence officer used to spy for [Boris] Berezovsky."  An FSB spokesman said the alleged spy Vyacheslav Zharko had disclosed the names of four British intelligence officers, and given locations in Europe where meetings had taken place, including information regarding the assignments he had been given…..(RIA Novosti, 29 Jun 07)

Russian spy agency identifies man allegedly recruited by MI6

…in an unusual documentary film broadcast by NTV, a man who was identified as Zharko described how he befriended exiled billionaire tycoon and Kremlin critic Boris Berezovsky in the late 1990s in London, and how he eventually came to meet Alexander Litvinenko, the former KGB agent who was poisoned late last year. Litvinenko, he said, eventually introduced him to British secret agents in London. He said he was paid initially up to €2,000 a month to gather information on the Russian economy. By 2005, British spies were pressing him for information on the FSB and Russian counterintelligence efforts directed against British spies….(AP, 29 Jun 07)

FSB Tells of Russian Who Met with MI6

…The man, whose name has not been released, went to the FSB earlier this month after Britain's MI6 contacted him and "insisted on a meeting in a European city," the agency said in a statement. The FSB said self-exiled businessman Boris Berezovsky contacted him as well…. The FSB said the exchanges took place after a Moscow news conference last month called by businessman Andrei Lugovoi, whom Britain has charged with the murder of Alexander Litvinenko and wants extradited. Lugovoi implicated Berezovsky in Litvinenko's death, saying he was working on the orders of MI6. The would-be spy gave the FSB the names of several of his British intelligence contacts and also disclosed when and "in which European cities" the meetings took place, as well as which "tasks" they gave him, the statement said…..(Moscow Times, 27 Jun 07)

Russian Agent of M16 Surrendered to FSB after Berezovsky Calls

…According to FSB, the MI6 officers hooked that Russian in London. In FSB, the so-called agent gave names of Britain’s spies, described them in detail, specified the states of Europe and hotels, where he had secret meetings with M16. The Russian came to FSB on fear for his life. He said Britain’s officers pressurized him for immediate meeting in some city of Europe in the wake of the news conference of Andrey Lugovoy, whose extradition Britain is seeking on charges of poisonous murder of Alexander Litvinenko, former officer of FSB and then the political refugee in Britain….(Kommersant, 26 Jun )

FSB considers opening criminal case over agent's report

…“A MI6 agent came to us and said he would cooperate,” he said. “I believe a criminal case will be opened in time. At the present moment our investigation department is considering that,” the FSB director said.  “But I don’t believe we must be actively making information public at the moment. First we must look into many issues, and then we shall inform the population,” Patrushev said. “We won't hush it up,”…The Russian national gave himself up several days after a news conference of Britain’s chief suspect in the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko, Andrei Lugovoi, who spoke about active attempts of MI6 officers to recruit him. ….(Itar-Tass, 26 Jun 07)

Russian accuses MI6 of trying to recruit him

Russia said on Tuesday it would investigate accusations by a Russian national that British intelligence had tried to recruit him, an announcement likely to further tax fraught relations between London and Moscow. Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said the man charged that the MI6 and self-exiled Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky had approached him to spy for Britain…..(Reuters, 26 Jun 07)

Russian citizen says he was recruited by British secret services

A Russian national has informed the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) that he was recruited in London by staffers of British secret services. Itar-Tass has learnt that the man came to the FSB reception office of his own free will several days after businessman Andrei Lugovoi gave a news conference in the Russian capital, telling reporters about active attempts by Mi6 agents to recruit him…..(Itar-Tass, 25 Jun 07)

New Russian prosecutor looking into Litvinenko death

A powerful Russian prosecutor said on Friday self-exiled Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky could be behind the murder of Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko, a charge dismissed by a friend of Litvinenko. Litvinenko, a former Russian FSB security service officer exiled in Britain, published a Berezovsky-sponsored book accusing the Kremlin of exploding apartment houses in Moscow to justify a new war in the rebel Chechnya province…..(Reuters, 22 Jun 07)

Russia Probes Berezovsky Over Spy Death

Russian investigators are looking into allegations that Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky could have been involved in the poisoning death in London of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko, a top law-enforcement official said Friday. Alexander Bastrykin, newly appointed head of the National Investigation Committee, criticized Britain's Scotland Yard for focusing on one suspect _ Andrei Lugovoi _ and ignoring others, the ITAR-Tass and Interfax news agencies reported. "We have other versions," Bastrykin was quoted as saying….(AP, 22 Jun 07)

FSB Probes Britain In Spy Flap

The Federal Security Service is investigating accusations of British espionage on Russian soil in what appears to be a tit-for-tat exchange after London demanded the extradition of Andrei Lugovoi, the chief suspect in the poisoning death of Alexander Litvinenko. The FSB said in a statement Friday that it had opened the criminal investigation based on “Lugovoi’s statement and additional information from him about intelligence activity by the British special services on the territory of Russia.” No other details were given……(St. Petersburg Times, 19 Jun 07)

Russia: Timeline Of Litvinenko Case

FSB Probes Britain in Spy Flap

The Federal Security Service is investigating accusations of British espionage on Russian soil in what appears to be a tit-for-tat exchange after London demanded the extradition of Andrei Lugovoi, the chief suspect in the poisoning death of Alexander Litvinenko. The FSB said in a statement Friday that it had opened the criminal investigation based on "Lugovoi's statement and additional information from him about intelligence activity by the British special services on the territory of Russia." ….(Moscow Times, 18 Jun 07)

Russia Says It Opened Criminal Inquiry Into British Espionage

Russia’s intelligence service said Friday that it had opened a criminal investigation into British espionage here in Russia, based on statements and undisclosed evidence provided by a businessman who is accused of poisoning Alexander V. Litvinenko, a former K.G.B. officer and a Kremlin critic…..(New York Times, 16 Jun 07)

Case based on espionage charges opened following Lugovoi's statement – FSB

A criminal case based on espionage charges has been opened following an inquiry into a statement made by Russian businessman Andrei Lugovoi, the Federal Security Service (FSB) said in a press release on Friday.  "On June 14, 2007, the Investigatory Department of the Russian FSB opened a criminal case based on espionage charges after an inquiry into Russian businessman Lugovoi's statement,"… Lugovoi told a news conference at the Interfax central office in late May that he planned to provide Russian law enforcement services with materials pointing to attempts by former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko and UK special services to recruit him to collect documents compromising the Russian authorities…..(Interfax, 15 Jun 07)

Russia to probe UK spy activity

Russia is to investigate alleged British spying on its territory after claims made by the prime suspect in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko…Meanwhile a spokesman for the British Embassy in Moscow said: "The Litvinenko affair is a criminal matter and not an issue of intelligence. "A British citizen was killed in London, and UK citizens and visitors were put at risk. We are seeking and expect full cooperation from the Russian authorities in bringing the perpetrator to face British justice."….(BBC, 15 Jun 07)

Russia's FSB probes MI6 activities based on Lugovoi claims

...Lugovoi, accused in the United Kingdom of murdering Alexander Litvinenko, told reporters in late May that the ex-FSB officer and his former employer, Boris Berezovsky, had been recruited by Britain's intelligence service, known as MI6…"A criminal case on espionage charges has been opened after statements made by Russian businessman Lugovoi, and additional information on the activities of British intelligence in Russia," the spokesman said, commenting on the previous announcement….(RIA Novosti, 15 Jun 07)

Russian Agency Opens Espionage Case

…In a one-sentence statement, the FSB said it had opened a criminal investigation on suspicion of espionage Thursday on the basis of statements made by Lugovoi, who met with Litvinenko in London on the day he said he fell ill. Russia has stressed that it will refuse Britain's request for Lugovoi's extradition. The espionage case is likely to further strain relations between London and Moscow, which is angry over Britain's refusal to hand over Berezovsky and other Kremlin foes for prosecution in Russia…..(AP, 15 Jun 07)

Russia FSB probes claims Litvinenko was British spy

Russia's Federal Security Service opened a criminal espionage investigation on Friday into accusations that murdered ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko and a self-exiled Russian tycoon in London were both British spies. Andrei Lugovoy, a former KGB bodyguard, told a news conference on May 31 that Litvinenko approached him with offers to spy for Britain's MI6 and collect incriminating evidence against Russian President Vladimir Putin…..(Reuters, 15 Jun 07)

The United States has urged Russia to collaborate more with Britain over extradition requests by both countries, but Russia's foreign minister denied a lack of cooperation. Russia wants Britain to extradite tycoon Boris Berezovsky on fraud charges and Chechen separatist leader Akhmed Zakayev. Britain is seeking the extradition of a former FSB guard turned businessman, Andrei Lugovoi, accused of poisoning Alexander Litvinenko, a former intelligence officer, in London in November….(RIA Novosti, 6 Jun 07)

Russia: Timeline Of Litvinenko Case

Russia-Britain Spy Case May Affect Summit

The diplomatic row between Russia and Britain over the key suspect in a spy murder case has entered another round. Russian President Vladimir Putin in an interview with journalists from Group of Eight countries said London's call for the extradition of the key suspect in the murder of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko was "stupidity."….(UPI, 6 Jun 07)

Putin: UK Calls for Lugovoi 'Stupidity'

Britain's call for the extradition of a suspect in the killing of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko is "stupidity," President Vladimir Putin said in an interview released Monday. Putin's harsh characterization is likely to further trouble British-Russian relations that already have hit a post-Cold War low amid the controversy of the killing of Litvinenko, who died in London in November from poisoning by a rare radioactive isotope….(AP, 4 Jun 07)

Russian ex-spy faces health problems in jail

A former Russian security agent who claimed to have warned Litvinenko of death squad could die of asthma in his prison if authorities continue refusing to hospitalize him, human rights activists said Friday. Mikhail Trepashkin, a former colonel in the Federal Security Service (FSB), the main KGB successor agency, is serving a four-year sentence for revealing state secrets in a prison colony in the Ural Mountains…..(Pravda, 1 Jun 07)

Poisoning Suspect Accuses British in Death of Litvinenko
The former KGB agent whom British prosecutors have accused of poisoning another former agent in London said Thursday that the British intelligence service MI6 was a likely suspect in the killing. At an 85-minute news conference in Moscow, Andrei Lugovoy offered no evidence to support his claim…..(Washington Post, 1 Jun 07)

Russia: Britain Politicizing Spy Case

Russia's foreign minister on Friday accused Britain of politicizing the investigation into the death of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, warning it would strain relations between the two countries…..(AP, 1 Jun 07)

Suspect Accuses British in Spy’s Death

…The suspect, the Russian businessman Andrei K. Lugovoi, also contended that British intelligence officers had tried to recruit him to collect compromising material about President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia…He said he had evidence supporting “this dark political story in which British special services play the main role.” He refused to disclose it, saying he would provide his information only to the Russian government….(New York Times, 1 Jun 07)

Spy killing suspect: Britain involved in plot