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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Russia expels four UK diplomats | Russia expels four UK diplomats |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Russia is to expel four UK diplomats in the continuing row over Moscow's refusal to extradite the man suspected of Alexander Litvinenko's murder. | Russia is to expel four UK diplomats in the continuing row over Moscow's refusal to extradite the man suspected of Alexander Litvinenko's murder. |
| The four diplomats must leave Russia within 10 days, and Moscow is to review visa applications for UK officials. | The four diplomats must leave Russia within 10 days, and Moscow is to review visa applications for UK officials. |
| UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he was "disappointed" by what he called a "completely unjustified" move. | |
| On Monday four Russian embassy staff were expelled from the UK as part of the row over the murder in London. | On Monday four Russian embassy staff were expelled from the UK as part of the row over the murder in London. |
| The UK also suspended the visa facilitation process for Russian officials. | The UK also suspended the visa facilitation process for Russian officials. |
| 'Continuing disappointment' | |
| Announcing the tit-for-tat response, Foreign ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said Moscow would not apply for any UK visas for Russian officials. | |
| He said: "The position of the Brown government is not based on British common sense and reasoning." | He said: "The position of the Brown government is not based on British common sense and reasoning." |
| At the Moscow press conference he added: "The measures declared by London recently makes co-operation between Russia and the UK impossible... in the war on terror." | At the Moscow press conference he added: "The measures declared by London recently makes co-operation between Russia and the UK impossible... in the war on terror." |
| KEY EVENTS IN CASE 1 November 2006: Alexander Litvinenko meets Andrei Lugovoi and another Russian at a London hotel 23 November 2006: Litvinenko dies in a London hospital24 November 2006: A Litvinenko statement accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of involvement in his death. Experts say Litvinenko was poisoned 6 December 2006: UK police say they are treating the death as murder 22 May 2007: Lugovoi should be charged with Litvinenko's murder, British prosecutors say 28 May 2007: UK makes formal request for Lugovoi's extradition from Russia Full timeline of events Send us your reaction | |
| Earlier Tony Brenton, Britain's ambassador in Moscow, was summoned to Russia's foreign ministry and given "certain messages" to pass on to the Foreign Office in London. | Earlier Tony Brenton, Britain's ambassador in Moscow, was summoned to Russia's foreign ministry and given "certain messages" to pass on to the Foreign Office in London. |
| Later, speaking in London, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "We are now studying these measures very carefully to ensure that we understand the detail. | |
| "We are disappointed that the Russian government should have signalled no new cooperation in the case of the extradition of Mr Andrei Lugovoi for the alleged murder of Alexander Litvinenko." | |
| He added that the decision to expel four British diplomats was "completely unjustified" and help would be given to them and their families. | |
| But he said he had been heartened by support from the "international community" and "positive statements about the need to defend the integrity of the British judicial system". | |
| Alexander Litvinenko, an ex-KGB agent who had taken UK citizenship, died of exposure to radioactive polonium-210 in London in November 2006. | Alexander Litvinenko, an ex-KGB agent who had taken UK citizenship, died of exposure to radioactive polonium-210 in London in November 2006. |
| Denies involvement | Denies involvement |
| Traces of the radioactive isotope was found in several places visited by another former agent, Andrei Lugovoi. | Traces of the radioactive isotope was found in several places visited by another former agent, Andrei Lugovoi. |
| Mr Lugovoi denies involvement and says he is a witness, not a suspect in the case and has told Russian television that the outcome of the inquiry had been predetermined. | Mr Lugovoi denies involvement and says he is a witness, not a suspect in the case and has told Russian television that the outcome of the inquiry had been predetermined. |
| Under the European Convention on Extradition 1957, Russia has the right to refuse the extradition of a citizen. | Under the European Convention on Extradition 1957, Russia has the right to refuse the extradition of a citizen. |
| The UK has the right to request Mr Lugovoi be tried in Russia, but the UK's director of public prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald, has already turned down the offer. | The UK has the right to request Mr Lugovoi be tried in Russia, but the UK's director of public prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald, has already turned down the offer. |
| The UK's director of public prosecutions has recommended Mr Lugovoi be tried for murder by "deliberate poisoning". | The UK's director of public prosecutions has recommended Mr Lugovoi be tried for murder by "deliberate poisoning". |