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'No extradition' in Russian probe 'No extradition' in Russian probe
(about 2 hours later)
Russia will not extradite suspects in the poisoning of ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko to Britain, the country's prosecutor general has said.Russia will not extradite suspects in the poisoning of ex-spy Alexander Litvinenko to Britain, the country's prosecutor general has said.
Yuri Chaika said any trial of a Russian citizen must take place in Russia.Yuri Chaika said any trial of a Russian citizen must take place in Russia.
Nine British police officers are currently in Moscow pursuing inquiries into Mr Litvinenko's death.Nine British police officers are currently in Moscow pursuing inquiries into Mr Litvinenko's death.
Mr Chaika also told a Moscow news conference that arrests of Russians by British officers would be "impossible" under the Russian constitution. But Mr Chaika 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. In a further development, the AFP news agency has reported that Mr Litvinenko will be buried on Friday in a Muslim ceremony.
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. The ex-spy's father, Walter, said his son would be buried in a Muslim graveyard in or near London. He added family and Muslim friends would be present.
We are talking about the need to avoid speculations on this subject Sergey LavrovRussian Foreign Minister "It will be quite a special funeral, you understand, the coffin will be closed," he told the agency.
Diplomatic relations
Mr Chaika said there will not be any trade between Britain and Russia of wanted figures over the death of the former KGB agent.
I believe there is no need to conduct such an investigation in Russia. Why do you think then that it was not Britain that produced it? Yuri Chaika
He also dismissed the claim that the highly toxic isotope polonium-210, which is being linked to Mr Litvinenko's death, was produced in Russia.
He said British authorities have not asked for help in tracing the source of the radioactive substance.
"I believe there is no need to conduct such an investigation in Russia. Why do you think then that it was not Britain that produced it?" he said.
British police launched their investigation after Mr Litvinenko, 43, died in a London hospital on 23 November.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. Tests have been carried out at a number of venues the ex-spy visited in London on November 1 - 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 deadly toxin 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. On Monday, officers from the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism command arrived in the Russian capital to pursue their inquiries.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism command arrived in the Russian capital on Monday as part of their inquiries. Home Secretary John Reid said officers would "follow the evidence" as Russia warned speculation on the death was harming relations with the UK.
They plan to interview several potential witnesses in Russia during their trip, which could last weeks. BBC correspondent James Rogers said Russian authorities have so far co-operated with the British police, but that comments made by Mr Chaika throw into question just how far their co-operation will go.
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. Radiation tests
Russian prosecutors have said they intend to question former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi, who met Mr Litvinenko in London on 1 November.Russian prosecutors have said they intend to question former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi, who met Mr Litvinenko in London on 1 November.
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. Mr Lugovoi has said he was expecting to meet with British police in the coming days.
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. He added that he had been undergoing tests in a Russian hospital for possible radiation poisoning.
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. "If they show me a list of people that they want to meet and if there are names missing on that list, names that I believe would be interesting to propose to them, then I certainly will," he told NTV television.
Mr Lugovoi is one of three Russian businessmen reported to have met Mr Litvinenko on that date.
But one of them, Vyacheslav Sokolenko, has denied he ever had any contact with the former KGB agent.
Vyacheslav Sokolenko told BBC Moscow he was in London, but only to watch the football.
He says Mr Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun met Mr Litvinenko, but he was not present, adding he never knew the ex-spy.
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." Meanwhile, Mario Scaramella - an Italian contact of Mr Litvinenko's who also met him on the day he fell ill - is still being observed by doctors after testing positive for polonium-210.
The Kremlin had given assurances that support and information would be forthcoming, the home secretary added. So far more than 3,000 people in the UK have called the NHS Direct line since the radiation scare, with 179 being followed up for further investigation, the HPA said.
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.
"We are talking about the need to avoid speculations on this subject."
Outpatient clinic
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.
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.
A total of 70 urine samples, mainly from medical staff and ambulance workers, have been tested and found to be negative.