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Lugovoi attack on UK government Lugovoi attack on UK government
(about 6 hours later)
The man accused of killing Alexander Litvinenko has said UK government calls for his extradition are to save face.The man accused of killing Alexander Litvinenko has said UK government calls for his extradition are to save face.
Andrei Lugovoi repeatedly denied he had poisoned the Russian dissident.Andrei Lugovoi repeatedly denied he had poisoned the Russian dissident.
He said Mr Litvinenko had worked for MI6, and the government's calls were to save face after they had failed to protect one of their own agents. He said Mr Litvinenko had worked for MI6, and the government's calls aimed at saving face after they had failed to protect one of their own agents.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the case against ex-KGB officer Mr Lugovoi was independent of the government and based on sound evidence.The Crown Prosecution Service said the case against ex-KGB officer Mr Lugovoi was independent of the government and based on sound evidence.
Evidence 'sufficient'Evidence 'sufficient'
Answering questions from journalists in London via satellite, Mr Lugovoi told a Russian radio station: "The British prime minister has to keep his face. There is no proof, no evidence and they really missed the death of their agent."Answering questions from journalists in London via satellite, Mr Lugovoi told a Russian radio station: "The British prime minister has to keep his face. There is no proof, no evidence and they really missed the death of their agent."
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which is responsible for the case against Mr Lugovoi, said they stood by the statement made when they had first decided to charge him with the murder of Mr Litvinenko.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which is responsible for the case against Mr Lugovoi, said they stood by the statement made when they had first decided to charge him with the murder of Mr Litvinenko.
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: Mr Lugovoi should be charged with Litvinenko's murder, British prosecutors say 28 May 2007: UK makes formal request for Mr Lugovoi's extradition from Russia Full timeline of eventsKEY 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: Mr Lugovoi should be charged with Litvinenko's murder, British prosecutors say 28 May 2007: UK makes formal request for Mr Lugovoi's extradition from Russia Full timeline of events
In May, director of public prosecutions Sir Ken Macdonald QC, said: "The evidence sent to us by the police is sufficient to charge Andrei Lugovoi with the murder of Mr Litvinenko by deliberate poisoning.In May, director of public prosecutions Sir Ken Macdonald QC, said: "The evidence sent to us by the police is sufficient to charge Andrei Lugovoi with the murder of Mr Litvinenko by deliberate poisoning.
"I have further concluded that a prosecution of this case would clearly be in the public interest.""I have further concluded that a prosecution of this case would clearly be in the public interest."
Police investigating Mr Litvinenko's death believe the critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin was poisoned after polonium-210 was tipped into his tea during a meeting at London's Millennium Hotel. Police investigating Mr Litvinenko's death believe the critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin was poisoned after polonium-210 was tipped into his tea during a meeting at London's Millennium Hotel last November.
Tit-for-tatTit-for-tat
The UK called for the extradition of Mr Lugovoi, who was at the meeting, to face trial for murder.The UK called for the extradition of Mr Lugovoi, who was at the meeting, to face trial for murder.
But Russia refused, sparking a diplomatic stand-off as well as tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions.But Russia refused, sparking a diplomatic stand-off as well as tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions.
Under the European Convention on Extradition 1957, Russia has the right to refuse the extradition of a citizen, and its constitution expressly forbids it from doing so.Under the European Convention on Extradition 1957, Russia has the right to refuse the extradition of a citizen, and its constitution expressly forbids it from doing so.
The UK has the right to request Mr Lugovoi be tried in Russia, but the UK's director of public prosecutions 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 has already turned down the offer.