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| Russia tax inspector 'spy' probed | |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| Authorities in Russia are investigating allegations that a former Russian tax inspector spied for Britain. | |
| The Federal Security Service (FSB) said Vyachaslav Zharko was recruited by agents from Britain's MI6 foreign intelligence service. | The Federal Security Service (FSB) said Vyachaslav Zharko was recruited by agents from Britain's MI6 foreign intelligence service. |
| Correspondents say the move is part of a row between Britain and Russia over the murder in London last year of Russian ex-agent Alexander Litvinenko. | Correspondents say the move is part of a row between Britain and Russia over the murder in London last year of Russian ex-agent Alexander Litvinenko. |
| On Thursday Russia officially refused to extradite a suspect in the killing. | On Thursday Russia officially refused to extradite a suspect in the killing. |
| British prosecutors have alleged that Russian businessman Andrei Lugovoi gave Mr Litvinenko a fatal dose of radioactive polonium-210. | British prosecutors have alleged that Russian businessman Andrei Lugovoi gave Mr Litvinenko a fatal dose of radioactive polonium-210. |
| Mr Lugovoi denies the charges. | Mr Lugovoi denies the charges. |
| The FSB says Mr Zharko was recruited by MI6 through the mediation of Mr Litvinenko and an exiled Russian business tycoon, Boris Berezovsky. | The FSB says Mr Zharko was recruited by MI6 through the mediation of Mr Litvinenko and an exiled Russian business tycoon, Boris Berezovsky. |
| Mr Berezovsky, an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, lives in London where he has refugee status. | Mr Berezovsky, an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, lives in London where he has refugee status. |
| For years, Russia has been pressing Britain without success for the multi-millionaire's extradition to stand trial on corruption charges. | For years, Russia has been pressing Britain without success for the multi-millionaire's extradition to stand trial on corruption charges. |
| The FSB said Mr Zharko admitted spying for Britain after turning himself in because he feared for his life, AFP news agency reported. | The FSB said Mr Zharko admitted spying for Britain after turning himself in because he feared for his life, AFP news agency reported. |
| The British Foreign Office has refused to comment on the allegations. | The British Foreign Office has refused to comment on the allegations. |