Russia on Monday confirmed that it has received a British request for the extradition of Andrei Lugovoi, a businessman and a suspect for poisoning former spy Alexander Litvinenko in London.
"We received such a request today, and it will be considered and a reply will be made," Itar-Tass news agency quoted a spokesperson of the Prosecutor General's Office as saying.
Russia has rejected to extradite Lugovoi after British prosecutors last Tuesday brought charges against him for poisoning Litvinenko last November, saying it will be against the Constitution.
"Under Russian laws and the Constitution, in the first place, Russian citizens cannot be handed over to other countries for standing trial there," said Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika. Russian Justice Minister Vladimir Ustinov also said that Lugovoi will not be extradited, Itar-Tass said.
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Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko at London's University College Hospital on 20 November 2006.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)
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