UK expels four Russian diplomats

[Lauren]

UK expels four Russian diplomats

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42377000/jpg/_42377326_litvinenko_bbc.jpg

The UK is to expel four diplomats from the Russian embassy in London after Moscow refused to extradite the suspect in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband also said co-operation with Russia on a range of issues was under review.

Prosecutors want Andrei Lugovoi, an ex-KGB officer, to face trial in the UK. He denies involvement.

Former KGB agent Mr Litvinenko died of exposure to radioactive polonium-210 in London in November 2006.

The Foreign Office has not named the four Russian diplomats, but the BBC understands they are intelligence officers.

Mr Miliband told MPs Russia was an important ally and the situation was one that Britain had "not sought and does not welcome".

'Extremely disappointing'

But he said it was necessary to send a "clear and proportionate signal" to Russia, about the seriousness with which Britain regarded the matter.

"Visa facilitation negotiations" have also been suspended, he said.

Under the Council of Europe European Convention on Extradition 1957, the Russians have the right to refuse the extradition of a citizen.

But Mr Miliband said the refusal had been "extremely disappointing" and both the UN and EU had reported concerns that Russia was applying the law selectively.

The Convention gives the UK the right to request that the investigation be taken on by the Russian authorities.

However, Sir Ken Macdonald, the UK's director of public prosecutions, rejected an offer from Moscow to try Mr Lugovoi in Russia.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6901346.stm

[Lauren]

LOL someone take an interest or something, this is gonna be the start of the next World War :nono:

[Mrluvaluva]

From Sky News

Russia will not review investments by British firms despite the tense diplomatic row sparked by the murder of Alexander Litvinenko.

Moscow has warned Britain it faces "serious consequences" following the expulsion of four diplomats and is expected to make a statement this afternoon.

Gordon Brown insisted he would give "no apologies" for the move - which comes after Russia refused to hand over the man accused of murdering Mr Litvinenko in London.

Britain was "not prepared to allow a situation of lawlessness to develop in London as a result of a failure to act," the Prime Minister said.

The expulsions were part of a raft of measures announced by Foreign Secretary David Miliband in response to the Kremlin's decision to block the extradition of Andrei Lugovoy, who, like his alleged victim, is another ex-KGB agent .

He said there was a "significant body of evidence" against Lugovoy and the measures would send a "clear and proportionate" signal to Moscow that it should send him to Britain where he would go on trial.

But the Russian government condemned the move as "provocative and immoral" and said it would have the "most serious consequences for Russian-British relations as a whole".

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said the UK was "trying to justify" its own refusal to extradite tycoon Boris Berezovsky and Chechen separatist leader Akhmed Zakayev.

He did not specify what measures Russia would take, but said they would seek to resolve the issues "in a constructive way, without politicising them".

Mr Litvinenko, a former Russian security agent who fled to Britain, died in a London hospital last November after being poisoned with the radioactive isotope polonium 210.

A European arrest warrant has been issued for Lugovoy and a "red alert" put out by Interpol, meaning he could be extradited to the UK if he travels outside Russia.

Once you have clicked this link, read quickly, as it will self destruct in 60 seconds. (http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1275544,00.html)

[spacebandit]

Back to the bad old days of the 70's and early 80's.

Although - refusal to extradite a murder suspect in the face of some pretty compelling evidence is a joke, but the russians are no strangers to state sponsored assassinations.

Wait and see what the tit for tat response is.....

Give it a year and it'll all blow over and we'll allow the incident to be quietly forgotten about, a footnote in history, and diplomats will be quietly replaced.

Justice ?

Not where the powerful are concerned, or the well connected

[Mrluvaluva]

From Sky News

Moscow has threatened that up to 80 British diplomats could be sent home following the expulsion of four Russian diplomats from London.

It is the latest stage of the tense diplomatic row sparked by the murder of Alexander Litvinenko.

In an official statement, Russia claimed it was being unfairly punished by having four diplomats sent home for following its constituion and refusing to extradite suspect Andrei Lugovoy.

Russia pointed out that its request for the repatriation of 21 Russians had been spurned by London so - in the same proportion - 80 British diplomats could be expelled.

Moscow has warned Britain it will be difficult for Russian and British authorities to work together on security matters when there is such a rift between the two countries.

Gordon Brown has insisted he will give "no apologies" for the expulsions.

Britain was "not prepared to allow a situation of lawlessness to develop in London as a result of a failure to act," the Prime Minister said.

The expulsions were part of a raft of measures announced by Foreign Secretary David Miliband in response to the Kremlin's decision to block the extradition of Mr Lugovoy, who, like his alleged victim, is another ex-KGB agent .

He said there was a "significant body of evidence" against Mr Lugovoy and the measures would send a "clear and proportionate" signal to Moscow that it should send him to Britain where he would go on trial.

Mr Litvinenko, a former Russian security agent who fled to Britain, died in a London hospital last November after being poisoned with the radioactive isotope polonium 210.

A European arrest warrant has been issued for Mr Lugovoy and a "red alert" put out by Interpol, meaning he could be extradited to the UK if he travels outside Russia.

Article (http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1275544,00.html)

http://www.free-smiley.info/combat/smilies-weapons-36.gif

[Lauren]

Does anyone feel that petty backfiring actions are going to ensue until eventually it gets a lot more dangerous?

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by Lauren
Does anyone feel that petty backfiring actions are going to ensue until eventually it gets a lot more dangerous?

I think we have to be very careful here as this could escalate quite rapidly.