RUSSIA EXPELS 4 BRITISH DIPLOMATS IN LUGOVOI AFFAIR
31 July 2007

Russia has announced it is expelling 4 UK diplomats, in response to a move by the UK government to expel 4 Russian diplomats over the Kremlin's unwillingness to extradite Alexandr Lugovoi, tycoon and Putin supporter, for alleged involvement in the murder of Alexandr Litvinenko.

Vladimir Putin has explained that the Russian constitution does not allow his government to extradite Russian citizens to face trial on foreign soil. The British government sees this stance as a violation of its rights to carry out a complete investigation and seek justice for crimes committed on its soil, as the Kremlin does not plan to investigate Mr. Lugovoi or press charges for murder in the Litvinenko case.

The UK government spoke out against the Russian government of Vladimir Putin when evidence arose linking the radiation poisoning of Alexandr Litvinenko, a former Russian spy, to the industrial nuclear material of the former Soviet Union. Since then, relations between the two states have been strained, as the Kremlin has repeatedly refused UK demands for access to information and witnesses.

Russia's expulsion of 4 British diplomats in retaliation for the 4 Russian diplomats expelled by Whitehall is seen as an escalation of a tense diploatic standoff that puts in the balance serious principles of international law and the collaboration of two world powers. Putin has tried to reduce the importance of the rift, saying "It is necessary to measure one's actions against common sense, respect the legitimate interests of partners and everything will be alright. I think we will overcome this mini-crisis".

The international community has expressed support for the Scotland Yard investigation, and the interests of British jurisprudence. It is thought that Mr. Putin did not help his nation's diplomatic case when he at first downplayed the likelihood of foul play in a case demonstrated to be poisoning by high doses of industrially produced radiation.

CNN reports "British prosecutors allege Lugovoi gave Litvinenko the poison during a meeting with him at the Millennium Hotel on November 1," adding that "Litvinenko became violently ill hours later and died in a hospital November 23. The 43-year-old accused Putin of being behind his killing in a statement he made from his deathbed."

A trail of evidence strewn across British hotels and restaurants, radiation traces on several passenger planes and in a German apartment, pointed to a high-level or highly-connected Russian source. British investigators sent to Russia to question suspects reportedly found their investigation blocked and evidence they requested concealed.

On 18 July, Boris Berezovsky, a Russian businessman exiled in Britain reportedly said police had warned him in June they had evidence of a plot to kill him. He reportedly fled the UK, claiming to have received threat he said "bore the hallmarks of Russia's security service".

Condoleeza Rice, the United States' secretary of State, has urged Russia to respect the British request for extradition and cooperate with the murder investigation.

• CNN: "Putin: UK spy row is 'mini-crisis'"