Russia yesterday maintained its refusal to turn over to British authorities the lead suspect in the poisoning death of a former KGB agent, the London Guardian reported (see GSN, Oct. 16, 2008).
Russian exile Alexander Litvinenko died of polonium poisoning in London three years ago. The chief suspect in his death is former Federal Security Service agent Andrei Lugovoi. The Federal Security Service is the successor intelligence agency of the KGB.
"We continue to seek justice for [Litvinenko]," said British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said during a meeting in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
"We did discuss this issue in some detail," Miliband added. "I emphasized the importance we continue to attach to the request made by our independent prosecuting authorities in respect of the murder of Mr. Litvinenko."
Lavrov, however, put to rest any thoughts that the Kremlin had changed its position on extraditing Lugovoi.
"Our position hasn't changed. Our British colleagues understand that," Lavrov said, adding that Russia would be ready to prosecute Lugovoi if British prosecutors could make a credible case for doing so.
However, he said British authorities had not provided "sufficient" evidence to warrant prosecution. Miliband responded that the British Crown Prosecution Service had already provided Moscow with "full" and "substantial" information on the case (Luke Harding, London Guardian, Nov. 2).
Moscow has also said that Russia's constitution forbids the extradition of Russian citizens, the London Times reported.
"I believe our British colleagues understand their demand -- that we amend our constitution -- is absolutely unrealistic," Lavrov said (Philp/Halpin, London Times, Nov. 3).