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UK requests Lugovoi extradition UK requests Lugovoi extradition
(30 minutes later)
A formal extradition request has been made to Russia for the ex-KGB agent wanted over Alexander Litvinenko's murder, the Foreign Office has said. A formal extradition request has been made to Russia by the UK, for the ex-KGB agent wanted over Alexander Litvinenko's murder.
It follows the recommendation by the director of public prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald, that Andrei Lugovoi should be tried for the "grave crime". It follows the recommendation by the UK director of public prosecutions that Andrei Lugovoi be tried for the crime.
Mr Lugovoi denies the charges which he called "politically motivated". Mr Lugovoi denies the charges, and the Kremlin says Russia's constitution does not allow it to hand him over.
Mr Litvinenko, 43, himself a former KGB officer, died in 2006 after exposure to the radioactive isotope polonium-210. Former KGB officer Mr Litvinenko died in London in 2006 after exposure to the radioactive isotope polonium-210.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that our ambassador has formally handed over the papers requesting the extradition of Andrei Lugovoi." The British embassy in Moscow has confirmed that the formal extradition request has been handed over, and the Russian prosecutor's office has confirmed that the documents have been received.
A spokesperson for the Russian prosecutor general told the Russian news agency Interfax they had received Britain's extradition request.
"The Russian prosecutor general's office received materials today regarding the request to extradite Andrei Lugovoi, whom Britain suspects in the poisoning murder of former Russian agent Litvinenko," the spokesperson said.
Attack 'victim'Attack 'victim'
Mr Lugovoi maintained last week that he was innocent and described himself as a "victim not a perpetrator of a radiation attack" while in London. Mr Lugovoi maintained last week that he was innocent and described himself as a "victim not a perpetrator of a radiation attack" while in London. He has called the charges "politically motivated".
Mr Lugovoi met Mr Litvinenko on the day he fell ill.Mr Lugovoi met Mr Litvinenko on the day he fell ill.
Polonium-210 was found in a string of places Mr Lugovoi visited in London, but he has insisted he is a witness not a suspect.Polonium-210 was found in a string of places Mr Lugovoi visited in London, but he has insisted he is a witness not a suspect.
The UK's director of public prosecutions has recommended Mr Lugovoi be extradited to stand trial for the murder of Mr Litvinenko by "deliberate poisoning". The UK's director of public prosecutions Sir Ken Macdonald said Mr Lugovoi should be extradited to stand trial for the murder of Mr Litvinenko by "deliberate poisoning".
But the Kremlin maintains Russia's constitution does not allow it to hand over Mr Lugovoi, a position reaffirmed by the country's justice minister Vladimir Ustinov. But the Kremlin maintains Russia's constitution does not allow it to hand over Mr Lugovoi, a position reaffirmed by the country's justice minister Vladimir Ustinov last week.
"The Russian constitution will stay inviolable and it will be observed to the full," the news agency Itar-Tass quoted him as saying."The Russian constitution will stay inviolable and it will be observed to the full," the news agency Itar-Tass quoted him as saying.
It is possible Russian prosecutors might decide to arrest and try Lugovoi in Russia.It is possible Russian prosecutors might decide to arrest and try Lugovoi in Russia.
The prosecutor general's office previously said Russian citizens could not be extradited to a foreign country but could appear in a domestic court "with evidence provided by the foreign state".The prosecutor general's office previously said Russian citizens could not be extradited to a foreign country but could appear in a domestic court "with evidence provided by the foreign state".
Mr Litvinenko, who was a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was granted political asylum in the UK in 2000.Mr Litvinenko, who was a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was granted political asylum in the UK in 2000.