Litvinenko Suspect Could Hand Himself To U.K. Embassy

Posted May 28th, 2007 by Dinka

A Russian wanted in Britain on charges of murdering Kremlin critic Aleksandr Litvinenko has said that he does not rule out handing himself over to the British Embassy in Moscow.

But Andrei Lugovoi said in a May 27 interview on Russian television channel NTV that the British would have to "make a gesture" toward him before he considers handing himself over. He did not say what sort of gesture he had in mind.

British prosecutors on May 25 formally requested Lugovoi's extradition to face murder charges, but Russia has refused to extradite him, citing a constitutional ban. Russian officials say he could be prosecuted at home if Britain presents sufficient evidence.

Lugovoi denies any involvement in Litvinenko's death by radiation poisoning last year.

Litvinenko, a former KGB agent who was living in exile in London, said in a deathbed statement that Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind his poisoning.

vote