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Russia 'summons UK envoy' in row Russia 'summons UK envoy' in row
(about 1 hour later)
The Russian foreign ministry has summoned the UK ambassador over the reopening of British Council offices, Russia's Interfax news agency reports.The Russian foreign ministry has summoned the UK ambassador over the reopening of British Council offices, Russia's Interfax news agency reports.
The UK embassy in Moscow declined to comment on the ambassador's schedule.The UK embassy in Moscow declined to comment on the ambassador's schedule.
British Council offices reopened in the Russian cities of St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg despite a government ban.British Council offices reopened in the Russian cities of St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg despite a government ban.
They were ordered to close last month in a deepening political row over the fatal poisoning of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko in London.They were ordered to close last month in a deepening political row over the fatal poisoning of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko in London.
The Russian ban does not apply to the British Council's Moscow office.The Russian ban does not apply to the British Council's Moscow office.
The Council, which aims to promote cultural and educational ties, was accused of violating Russian tax rules.
Tense relations
"We never comment on the ambassador's programme," an embassy spokesperson told BBC News on Monday, referring to the Interfax report."We never comment on the ambassador's programme," an embassy spokesperson told BBC News on Monday, referring to the Interfax report.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the organisation is fully entitled to operate in Russia. Tense relations
A British embassy spokesman told BBC News that the Council's legal position in Russia was "rock solid". The British Council, which aims to promote cultural and educational ties, was accused of violating Russian tax rules.
A spokesman for the Council insisted on Monday that its activities were "fully compliant with Russian and international law".
"We believe we're caught up in a political matter," the spokesman told the BBC News website, adding that talks were going on through diplomatic channels in a bid to resolve the dispute.
"The British Council is a non-political organisation that engages in cultural relations and educational work in Russia with the aim of enhancing mutual understanding," the spokesman said.
The offices in Yekaterinburg are on the premises of the UK consulate-general.
The row came on top of continuing tensions over the death of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London in November 2006. He had been given a fatal dose of radioactive polonium 210.The row came on top of continuing tensions over the death of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko in London in November 2006. He had been given a fatal dose of radioactive polonium 210.
The UK wants Russia to hand over businessman Andrei Lugovoi, whom UK investigators suspect of murdering Mr Litvinenko.The UK wants Russia to hand over businessman Andrei Lugovoi, whom UK investigators suspect of murdering Mr Litvinenko.
When Russia refused to extradite Mr Lugovoi, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats and Moscow followed suit.When Russia refused to extradite Mr Lugovoi, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats and Moscow followed suit.
Russian officials have described the action against the British Council as a retaliatory measure.Russian officials have described the action against the British Council as a retaliatory measure.