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Prayers for murdered ex-KGB spy Prayers for murdered ex-KGB spy
(about 1 hour later)
Friends and family of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko have said prayers for him at a London mosque ahead of a private funeral.Friends and family of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko have said prayers for him at a London mosque ahead of a private funeral.
The former KGB agent's death on 23 November, in London, has been linked to the highly toxic isotope polonium-210.The former KGB agent's death on 23 November, in London, has been linked to the highly toxic isotope polonium-210.
Mr Litvinenko's was said to have converted to Islam on his deathbed. Mr Litvinenko was said to have converted to Islam before he died.
Meanwhile, Russian prosecuters have begun investigating the killing of Mr Litvinenko and the attempted killing of his associate Dmitry Kovtun. Russian prosecutors are investigating what they are treating as the murder of Mr Litvinenko and the attempted murder of his associate Dmitry Kovtun.
Mourners, including Mr Litvinenko's father Walter, joined Muslims for midday prayers at the Central London mosque in Regent's Park, where a funeral reading was given.
Radiation concernsRadiation concerns
Chechen separatist Akhmed Zakayev, who was a friend of Mr Litvinenko, was also in attendence. Mourners, including Mr Litvinenko's father, Walter, joined Muslims for midday prayers at the Central London mosque in Regent's Park, where a funeral reading was given.
Chechen separatist Akhmed Zakayev, who was a friend of Mr Litvinenko, was also in attendance.
Mosque representative Ghayasuddin Siddiqui said Mr Litvinenko's body could not be brought to the mosque.Mosque representative Ghayasuddin Siddiqui said Mr Litvinenko's body could not be brought to the mosque.
Mr Zakayev had said earlier this week the body would not be taken to the mosque because of concerns about the radiation it contained.Mr Zakayev had said earlier this week the body would not be taken to the mosque because of concerns about the radiation it contained.
The funeral is believed to be taking place later in London at an undisclosed location.The funeral is believed to be taking place later in London at an undisclosed location.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor general's office in Russia said it had opened a criminal case into the killing of Mr Litvinenko and the attempted killing of associate Dmitry Kovtun. Poisoning
Mr Kovtun, a former KGB bodyguard, met Mr Litvinenko at the Millennium Hotel in Grosvenor Square, London. Hours later Mr Litvinenko fell ill. Mr Kovtun met Mr Litvinenko at the Millennium Hotel in Grosvenor Square, London on 1 November. Hours later Mr Litvinenko fell ill.
Meanwhile the authorities have played down the risk to health after small traces of a radioactive substance were found at the British embassy in Moscow following a precautionary check. A statement from the prosecutor's office said checks had established Mr Litvinenko died as a result of poisoning from a radioactive substance.
It said Mr Kovtun had suffered an illness connected to poisoning by a radioactive substance.
Mr Kovtun is reported to have been interviewed by British police in Moscow.
In another development British authorities played down the risk to health after small traces of a radioactive substance were found at the British embassy in Moscow following a precautionary check.
Officials said the levels of radiation found would not pose a risk to public health.Officials said the levels of radiation found would not pose a risk to public health.
It is important to stress that we have reached no conclusions as to the means employed, the motive or the identity of those who might be responsible for Mr Litvinenko's death Scotland YardIt is important to stress that we have reached no conclusions as to the means employed, the motive or the identity of those who might be responsible for Mr Litvinenko's death Scotland Yard
In London, Scotland Yard confirmed it was treating Mr Litvinenko's death as murder.In London, Scotland Yard confirmed it was treating Mr Litvinenko's death as murder.
"It is important to stress that we have reached no conclusions as to the means employed, the motive or the identity of those who might be responsible for Mr Litvinenko's death," a statement said."It is important to stress that we have reached no conclusions as to the means employed, the motive or the identity of those who might be responsible for Mr Litvinenko's death," a statement said.
The British embassy announced on 4 December it would test one of its rooms as a precaution, after former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi visited the building to deny any involvement in the poisoning of Mr Litvinenko, 43.The British embassy announced on 4 December it would test one of its rooms as a precaution, after former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi visited the building to deny any involvement in the poisoning of Mr Litvinenko, 43.
Mr Lugovoi and another Russian businessman reportedly met with Mr Litvinenko in London on 1 November, the day he fell ill. Mr Lugovoi and Mr Kovtun reportedly met Mr Litvinenko at the Millennium Hotel. Mr Lugovoi is also expected to be interviewed in Moscow.
Restrictions
Russian officials are expected to conduct the interview but British detectives will be in attendance.
Nine Metropolitan police officers are currently in Moscow but have had restrictions placed on their investigations into Mr Litvinenko's death by the authorities.
Russia's chief prosecutor, Yuri Chaika, said British officers could not arrest Russian citizens and suspects would not be extradited to Britain.
Tests have been carried out at a number of venues Mr Litvinenko visited in London on that day.Tests have been carried out at a number of venues Mr Litvinenko visited in London on that day.
'Special attention'
Earlier, Mario Scaramella, the Italian academic who also met Mr Litvinenko on 1 November - at a sushi bar - was discharged from hospital in London.Earlier, Mario Scaramella, the Italian academic who also met Mr Litvinenko on 1 November - at a sushi bar - was discharged from hospital in London.
Mr Scaramella was under observation after testing positive for polonium-210.Mr Scaramella was under observation after testing positive for polonium-210.
In an interview from his hospital bed he told CNN he had travelled to London for a conference, but had changed his plans to meet Mr Litvinenko.
He said he had received e-mails claiming that both he and Mr Litvinenko were "under the special attention of hostile people", but neither man believed the threats were real.
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".
Hotel meeting
Meanwhile, Dmitry Kovtun, a business associate of Mr Lugovoi, is reported to have been interviewed by British police in Moscow.
The pair met Mr Litvinenko on 1 November at the Millennium Hotel.
Mr Lugovoi is also expected to be interviewed in Moscow.
Russian officials are expected to conduct the interview but British detectives will be in attendance.
Nine Metropolitan police officers are currently in Moscow but have had restrictions placed on their investigations into Mr Litvinenko's death by the authorities.
Russia's chief prosecutor, Yuri Chaika, said British officers could not arrest Russian citizens and suspects would not be extradited to Britain.