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Russian Prosecution Intends to Send Investigators to London

The Russian prosecution investigating the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, intends to send investigators to London to interrogate Businessman Boris Berezovsky and Chechen leader Akhmed Zakayev ? two major opponents to President Putin leaving in exile in England.

The Russian prosecution would like to investigate Berezovsky and Zakayev because they both knew Litvinenko and were in contact with him before he was murdered. Zakayev, former leader of the Chechnya`s rebels, was a close friend of Litvinenko`s and is considered one of the most outspoken critics of Putin. In the past the Russian authorities requested Berezovsky and Zakayev be extradited to Russia but they were refused by British authorities. Scotland Yard told reporters that they have yet to get an official request for an investigation from the Russian authorities and that they are uncertain if this will be granted since Britain gave both individuals political asylum.

The Russian demands are expected to further damage the relations between Moscow and London, relations that are already strained due to the incident. The British media reported that the BBC broadcasting in Moscow and St. Petersburg were stopped for an unknown reason. The broadcasting in London was stopped a day after Litvinenko was poisoned. British experts estimate that this is an attempt by the Russian government to put pressure on London. During the weekend traces of a radioactive substance were found in two apartments in German and are believed to be related to the poisoning