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Russia opens Litvinenko spy probe Russia opens Litvinenko spy probe
(20 minutes later)
Russia has launched a spying case in connection with statements made by the man the UK accuses of killing former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.Russia has launched a spying case in connection with statements made by the man the UK accuses of killing former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.
The Federal Security Service is behind the investigation into claims made by Andrei Lugovoi but no suspects have been named by the authorities. The Federal Security Service is investigating claims by Andrei Lugovoi but has not named any suspects.
The claims allege Mr Litvinenko and businessman Boris Berezovsky had contacts with the UK secret service. He claimed Mr Litvinenko, who was poisoned in London 2006, and businessman Boris Berezovsky had contacts with the UK secret service.
Mr Litvinenko died in London in November 2006 after being poisoned. The UK embassy in Moscow said it was a criminal not an intelligence matter.
The statement by the FSB said: "After checking the statement of Russian businessman Andrei Lugovoi, on the 14 June the investigative department of the FSB, with the agreement of the General Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation, opened a criminal case on espionage charges."The statement by the FSB said: "After checking the statement of Russian businessman Andrei Lugovoi, on the 14 June the investigative department of the FSB, with the agreement of the General Prosecutor's Office of the Russian Federation, opened a criminal case on espionage charges."
The press service of the FSB said this was "not against Lugovoi" and that he as a Russian citizen had simply made a statement to the FSB as was his right.The press service of the FSB said this was "not against Lugovoi" and that he as a Russian citizen had simply made a statement to the FSB as was his right.
When asked if the criminal case involved people currently in Russia or overseas, the spokesman said that was "secret information".When asked if the criminal case involved people currently in Russia or overseas, the spokesman said that was "secret information".
Public health scarePublic health scare
Diplomatic relations between London and Moscow have been strained by the case.Diplomatic relations between London and Moscow have been strained by the case.
Mr Litvinenko died aged 43 after being exposed to the radioactive isotope polonium-210. The incident sparked a major public health scare as a raft of London buildings visited by the former spy were checked for radiation levels.Mr Litvinenko died aged 43 after being exposed to the radioactive isotope polonium-210. The incident sparked a major public health scare as a raft of London buildings visited by the former spy were checked for radiation levels.
In May, Mr Lugovoi claimed that both Mr Litvinenko and Mr Berezovsky, who is exiled in the UK and an opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin's government, had contacts with the British foreign intelligence agency MI6.In May, Mr Lugovoi claimed that both Mr Litvinenko and Mr Berezovsky, who is exiled in the UK and an opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin's government, had contacts with the British foreign intelligence agency MI6.
KEY EVENTS IN CASE 1 November 2006: Alexander Litvinenko meets Andrei Lugovoi and another Russian at a London hotel 23 November 2006: Litvinenko dies in a London hospital24 November 2006: A Litvinenko statement accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of involvement in his death. Experts say Litvinenko was poisoned 6 December 2006: UK police say they are treating the death as murder 22 May 2007: Lugovoi should be charged with Litvinenko's murder, British prosecutors say 28 May 2007: UK makes formal request for Lugovoi's extradition from Russia15 June 2007: Russia launches spy case over accusations made by Lugovoi Full timeline of eventsKEY EVENTS IN CASE 1 November 2006: Alexander Litvinenko meets Andrei Lugovoi and another Russian at a London hotel 23 November 2006: Litvinenko dies in a London hospital24 November 2006: A Litvinenko statement accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of involvement in his death. Experts say Litvinenko was poisoned 6 December 2006: UK police say they are treating the death as murder 22 May 2007: Lugovoi should be charged with Litvinenko's murder, British prosecutors say 28 May 2007: UK makes formal request for Lugovoi's extradition from Russia15 June 2007: Russia launches spy case over accusations made by Lugovoi Full timeline of events
Previously Russia has said it would refuse any extradition request for Mr Lugovoi.Previously Russia has said it would refuse any extradition request for Mr Lugovoi.
The UK's director of public prosecutions has recommended Mr Lugovoi be tried for murder by "deliberate poisoning" and a formal extradition request has been submitted to the authorities in Moscow.The UK's director of public prosecutions has recommended Mr Lugovoi be tried for murder by "deliberate poisoning" and a formal extradition request has been submitted to the authorities in Moscow.
The request has been made under the 1957 Council of Europe European Convention on Extradition, of which Russia is a signatory. However, Russia does have the right, under Article 6, to refuse to extradite one of its nationals.The request has been made under the 1957 Council of Europe European Convention on Extradition, of which Russia is a signatory. However, Russia does have the right, under Article 6, to refuse to extradite one of its nationals.
On Thursday, Russian prosecutor-general Yuri Chayka was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying: "Extradition is out of the question, because it contradicts our constitution."On Thursday, Russian prosecutor-general Yuri Chayka was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying: "Extradition is out of the question, because it contradicts our constitution."
Mr Putin previously described the request as "foolish".Mr Putin previously described the request as "foolish".
Mr Litvinenko's widow, Marina, has dismissed Mr Lugovoi's claims that British secret services had a part in the death.Mr Litvinenko's widow, Marina, has dismissed Mr Lugovoi's claims that British secret services had a part in the death.
She said her husband's case was different from anything that had happened before and Russia should reconsider its law over extraditions.She said her husband's case was different from anything that had happened before and Russia should reconsider its law over extraditions.