Putin rekindles tensions over Litvinenko murder

by David Byers

Vladimir Putin rekindled tensions with Britain over Alexander Litvinenko, describing demands for the extradition of chief suspect Andrei Lugovoy as "colonial thinking".

Despite what was widely regarded as a gentle response to Britain's decision to expel four Russian diplomats last week the Russian President resorted to strong rhetoric during a televised meeting with pro-Kremlin youth organisations. Responding to claims by the British Ambassador to Moscow that Russia's Constitution does not prevent such extraditions, Putin said the UK's "brains" need to be changed.

"They are making proposals to change our Constitution which are insulting for our nation and our people," he said.

"It's their brains, not our Constitution, which need to be changed. What they are offering to us is a clear remnant of colonial thinking."

British-Russian relations have deteriorated dramatically since the UK demanded that Russia extradite Mr Lugovoy as Scotland Yard's chief suspect in Mr Litvinenko's murder.

After Russia refused to comply, claiming the Constitution prevents extraditions, Foreign Secretary David Miliband last Monday announced the expulsion of four Russian diplomats from London. On Thursday Russia responded by expelling four British diplomats from Moscow.

Mr Litvinenko, a Russian dissident who lived in London and had been heavily critical of Mr Putin's Government, was found to have been poisoned with radioactive polonium-210 at a hotel last November.

On his death bed, he claimed Mr Putin had been behind the killing, a claim which the Russian President has sought to ridicule.

Last week Boris Berezovsky, another Russian dissident living in London, said he had been asked by police to leave the country for his own safety after a threat to assassinate him was identified.

Police later confirmed that a Russian national had been arrested and handed over to immigration, who deported him, and Mr Berezovsky was allowed to return.

In his remarks today, Mr Putin said that British officials "insult themselves" by persisting with extradition requests, "showing that they are thinking in terms of the last or even previous century".

He added: "They need to treat their partners with respect, then we will show respect to them."

Mr Putin said that Britain was guilty of double standards by calling for the extradition of Mr Lugovoy, while refusing to hand over Russian dissidents, notably Boris Berezovsky, on whom an assassination attempt was made last month.

He said: "In London, about 30 people sought by our security services are wanted for very serious crimes. They have not lifted a finger or even thought of extraditing them."

"They do not extradite anyone hiding on their soil including those suspected of terrorism. But from other countries, including ourselves, they make impossibly high demands."

The Foreign Office reacted to Mr Putin's latest comments by stressing that the Government still had not given up hope of Russia handing over Mr Lugovoy, despite its rebuttals.

Timesonline, UK