UK Demands Extradition in Spy Poisoning

The poisoning death of spy-turned-dissident Alexander Litvinenko was the work of another ex-KGB operative, the British government says, and it wants the accused charged and extradited. But Moscow refuses to deliver him, the BBC reports, saying that would violate the Russian constitution. Litvinenko was a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin, whom he accused on his deathbed of ordering his murder.

Andrei Lugovoi, the focus of the UK investigation, denies involvement. The investigation has strained already difficult relations between the UK and Russia, which don't appear to be warming. A spokesman responded to the government recommendation by saying the Kremlin is waiting for the "British side to actually do something rather than make statements." (More Alexander Litvinenko stories.)