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Litvinenko charges decision due Litvinenko charges decision due
(about 3 hours later)
Prosecutors considering charges over the poisoning of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko are expected to announce their decision later.Prosecutors considering charges over the poisoning of former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko are expected to announce their decision later.
Mr Litvinenko, 43, a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died in London in November after exposure to the radioactive isotope polonium-210. Mr Litvinenko, a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died in London in November after exposure to the radioactive isotope polonium-210.
Diplomatic relations between Russia and the UK have been strained by the case.Diplomatic relations between Russia and the UK have been strained by the case.
Tensions could be exacerbated further if the director of public prosecutions recommends that charges be brought.Tensions could be exacerbated further if the director of public prosecutions recommends that charges be brought.
Mr Litvinenko, who was granted political asylum in the UK in 2000 and went on to take British citizenship, died at University College Hospital on 23 November.Mr Litvinenko, who was granted political asylum in the UK in 2000 and went on to take British citizenship, died at University College Hospital on 23 November.
Hotel meetingHotel meeting
The counter-terrorism command of the Metropolitan Police has been conducting a detailed international investigation into his death.The counter-terrorism command of the Metropolitan Police has been conducting a detailed international investigation into his death.
The police inquiry, during which officers followed a trail of polonium radioactivity left at a series of locations visited by Mr Litvinenko in London before he died, eventually took them to Moscow.The police inquiry, during which officers followed a trail of polonium radioactivity left at a series of locations visited by Mr Litvinenko in London before he died, eventually took them to Moscow.
His friends, including London-based Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky, have accused the Kremlin of ordering his assassination but the Russian government has rejected such claims.His friends, including London-based Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky, have accused the Kremlin of ordering his assassination but the Russian government has rejected such claims.
Two other former agents Andrei Lugovoy and Dmitri Kovtun, who saw Mr Litvinenko on a number of occasions, have been widely mentioned in reports of the case.Two other former agents Andrei Lugovoy and Dmitri Kovtun, who saw Mr Litvinenko on a number of occasions, have been widely mentioned in reports of the case.
Mr Litvinenko had seen both men at the Millennium Hotel in Mayfair on the day he was poisoned, hours before falling ill.Mr Litvinenko had seen both men at the Millennium Hotel in Mayfair on the day he was poisoned, hours before falling ill.
But the pair, who are resident in Russia, have repeatedly denied any involvement.But the pair, who are resident in Russia, have repeatedly denied any involvement.
The Director of Public Prosecution, Sir Ken Macdonald, is holding a news conference in London in connection with the case.The Director of Public Prosecution, Sir Ken Macdonald, is holding a news conference in London in connection with the case.
Any charges against the pair or other individuals could lead to a diplomatic row between Moscow and London, says BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera.Any charges against the pair or other individuals could lead to a diplomatic row between Moscow and London, says BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera.