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Russia to investigate spy's death Russia to investigate spy's death
(20 minutes later)
Russian prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into the death in London last month of former KGB agent, Alexander Litvinenko.Russian prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into the death in London last month of former KGB agent, Alexander Litvinenko.
Litvinenko, a vocal critic of the Kremlin, is believed to have been poisoned by a large dose of radiation.Litvinenko, a vocal critic of the Kremlin, is believed to have been poisoned by a large dose of radiation.
The Russian investigation will run in parallel to a murder inquiry UK police are conducting into the death.The Russian investigation will run in parallel to a murder inquiry UK police are conducting into the death.
The Kremlin has rejected Litvinenko's deathbed accusation that they ordered his poisoning.The Kremlin has rejected Litvinenko's deathbed accusation that they ordered his poisoning.
A funeral service for the former agent was held at a central London mosque on Thursday.A funeral service for the former agent was held at a central London mosque on Thursday.
Second 'poisoning'Second 'poisoning'
As well as Litvinenko's death, Russian prosecutors say they are investigating what they describe as the attempted poisoning of another man, Dmitry Kovtun.As well as Litvinenko's death, Russian prosecutors say they are investigating what they describe as the attempted poisoning of another man, Dmitry Kovtun.
Mr Kovtun, a security expert, was reportedly one of the last people to have met Litvinenko before he fell sick.Mr Kovtun, a security expert, was reportedly one of the last people to have met Litvinenko before he fell sick.
He later showed signs of radiation poisoning, prosecutors said.He later showed signs of radiation poisoning, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors in Moscow said their criminal investigation would enable them to conduct a trial in Russia - if a Russian suspect was found.Prosecutors in Moscow said their criminal investigation would enable them to conduct a trial in Russia - if a Russian suspect was found.
Moscow has already said it would not extradite any suspects on Russian soil to the UK.Moscow has already said it would not extradite any suspects on Russian soil to the UK.
According to Russia's Tass news agency, Moscow's investigation will take place "within the framework" of assistance being offered to British investigators. According to Russia's Itar-Tass news agency, Moscow's investigation will take place "within the framework" of assistance being offered to British investigators.
British police visiting Moscow are due to interview another witness in the affair, a former KGB agent, Andrei Lugovoi.British police visiting Moscow are due to interview another witness in the affair, a former KGB agent, Andrei Lugovoi.
Mr Lugovoi reportedly accompanied Mr Kovtun to a meeting with Litvinenko at London's Millenium Hotel last month.Mr Lugovoi reportedly accompanied Mr Kovtun to a meeting with Litvinenko at London's Millenium Hotel last month.
The BBC has learnt that workers at the hotel have also tested positive for low levels of polonium-210, the radioactive substance blamed for Litvinenko's death.The BBC has learnt that workers at the hotel have also tested positive for low levels of polonium-210, the radioactive substance blamed for Litvinenko's death.
Traces of the substance have been found at about 10 different locations in London and on two British Airways planes.Traces of the substance have been found at about 10 different locations in London and on two British Airways planes.