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Spy probe focuses on two capitals 'No extradition' in Russian probe
(about 2 hours later)
UK police investigating the death of Alexander Litvinenko are now pursuing inquiries in both London and Moscow. Russia's prosecutor general will not extradite suspects in the poisoning of ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko to Britain.
Yuri Chaika said any trial of a Russian citizen must take place in Russia.
British police investigating Mr Litvinenko's death are pursuing inquiries in Moscow - nine officers are currently in the Russian capital.
Mr Chaika also told a Moscow news conference that arrests of Russians by British officers would be "impossible" under the Russian constitution.
He said there would not be any trade between Britain and Russia of wanted figures.
And Mr Chaika added that, contrary to earlier reports, the officers had not asked to interview former secret policeman Mikhail Trepashkin, who is currently in a Russian jail.
We are talking about the need to avoid speculations on this subject Sergey LavrovRussian Foreign Minister
British police launched their investigation after Mr Litvinenko, 43, died in a London hospital on 23 November.
His death is being linked to radiation poisoning by the highly toxic isotope polonium-210, which was found in his body, with more traces found at venues he had visited in London on 1 November - the day he fell ill.
Ongoing tests
A hotel and an office are the latest central London locations to be tested for signs of the radioactive substance found in the ex-KGB agent's body.A hotel and an office are the latest central London locations to be tested for signs of the radioactive substance found in the ex-KGB agent's body.
A room at the British Embassy in Moscow is also being tested as a precaution.A room at the British Embassy in Moscow is also being tested as a precaution.
Home Secretary John Reid has said officers will "follow the evidence" as Russia warned speculation on the death was harming relations with the UK.Home Secretary John Reid has said officers will "follow the evidence" as Russia warned speculation on the death was harming relations with the UK.
Potential witnesses
Officers from the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism command arrived in the Russian capital on Monday as part of their inquiries.Officers from the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism command arrived in the Russian capital on Monday as part of their inquiries.
They plan to interview several potential witnesses in Russia during their trip, which could last weeks.They plan to interview several potential witnesses in Russia during their trip, which could last weeks.
One of those witnesses could be former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi, who met Mr Litvinenko in London on 1 November - the day he fell ill. BBC correspondent James Rogers says the British police have so far received a good degree of co-operation from the Russian authorities, although the comments made by Mr Chaika do throw into question just how far that co-operation will go as the investigation proceeds.
Mr Lugovoi visited the British Embassy building in Moscow last week to deny any involvement in his death. Russian prosecutors have said they intend to question former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi, who met Mr Litvinenko in London on 1 November.
The British detectives are likely to be escorted by a local Russian police force. Mr Lugovoi visited the British Embassy building in Moscow last week to deny any involvement in his death and is currently reported to be in hospital.
We are talking about the need to avoid speculations on this subject Sergey LavrovRussian Foreign Minister
But the officers have been refused permission to speak to former intelligence officer Mikhail Trepashkin, in jail for divulging state secrets, who has reportedly asked to meet them.
Prison spokesman Alexander Sidorov said: "Russia's prison service will not allow somebody sentenced for disclosing state secrets to continue to be a source of information for representatives of the special services of foreign states."
Police launched their investigation after Mr Litvinenko, 43, died in a London hospital on 23 November.
Polonium-210
His death is being linked to radiation poisoning by the highly toxic isotope polonium-210, which was found in his body, with more traces found at venues he had visited in London on 1 November.
Andrei Lugovoi has denied any involvement in the poisoningAndrei Lugovoi has denied any involvement in the poisoning
The Parkes Hotel in Knightsbridge - where Mr Lugovoi reportedly said he had stayed - and an office in Cavendish Place were being examined in London on Monday.The Parkes Hotel in Knightsbridge - where Mr Lugovoi reportedly said he had stayed - and an office in Cavendish Place were being examined in London on Monday.
Tests carried out by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) at the Best Western Hotel in Shaftesbury Avenue, London, found nothing of concern to public health.Tests carried out by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) at the Best Western Hotel in Shaftesbury Avenue, London, found nothing of concern to public health.
Friends believe Mr Litvinenko was poisoned because of his criticisms of the Russian government, but the Kremlin has dismissed suggestions it was involved in any way as "sheer nonsense".Friends believe Mr Litvinenko was poisoned because of his criticisms of the Russian government, but the Kremlin has dismissed suggestions it was involved in any way as "sheer nonsense".
Speaking in Brussels on Monday at European Union talks, Mr Reid said: "This investigation will proceed as normal, whatever the diplomatic or... wider considerations."Speaking in Brussels on Monday at European Union talks, Mr Reid said: "This investigation will proceed as normal, whatever the diplomatic or... wider considerations."
The Kremlin had given assurances that support and information would be forthcoming, the home secretary added.The Kremlin had given assurances that support and information would be forthcoming, the home secretary added.
But Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, said Kremlin officials should not be involved in the British police inquiry and that the "tragedy" should not be politicised.But Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, said Kremlin officials should not be involved in the British police inquiry and that the "tragedy" should not be politicised.
"If the British have questions, then they should be sent via the law enforcement agencies between which there are contacts," he said."If the British have questions, then they should be sent via the law enforcement agencies between which there are contacts," he said.
"We are talking about the need to avoid speculations on this subject.""We are talking about the need to avoid speculations on this subject."
Outpatient clinicOutpatient clinic
Meanwhile, Mario Scaramella - an Italian contact of Mr Litvinenko's - is still being observed by doctors after testing positive for polonium-210.Meanwhile, Mario Scaramella - an Italian contact of Mr Litvinenko's - is still being observed by doctors after testing positive for polonium-210.
However, doctors say Mr Scaramella, who also met Mr Litvinenko on 1 November, remains well.However, doctors say Mr Scaramella, who also met Mr Litvinenko on 1 November, remains well.
The Health Protection Agency said just over 3,000 people in the UK had called the NHS Direct line since the radiation scare, with 179 being followed up for further investigation.The Health Protection Agency said just over 3,000 people in the UK had called the NHS Direct line since the radiation scare, with 179 being followed up for further investigation.
Twenty-seven people were referred as a precaution to a specialist outpatient clinic for radiological exposure assessment.Twenty-seven people were referred as a precaution to a specialist outpatient clinic for radiological exposure assessment.
A total of 70 urine samples, mainly from medical staff and ambulance workers, have been tested and found to be negative.A total of 70 urine samples, mainly from medical staff and ambulance workers, have been tested and found to be negative.