18/07/2007

'Russian tycoon murder plot' revealed

Details of an alleged plot to murder exiled Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky have been revealed in a British newspaper.

'The Sun' reported that a Russian hitman had been hired to execute Mr Berezovsky at a hotel in London and that the attack was planned to take place within the last two weeks.

The report claimed that British security services intercepted and foiled the plot.

There has been no comment from the police or security officials on the report's claims.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Berezovsky confirmed that both British police and sources in Russia had warned him about the alleged plot.

His spokeswoman had earlier confirmed that Mr Berezovsky had been informed of the alleged plot three weeks ago and had been advised to leave the country for a week.

The news comes amid heightened tensions between Britain and Russia over Moscow's refusal to extradite former KGB agent Andrei Lugovoi to stand trial in the UK over the murder of Alexander Litvinenko last year.

Mr Litvinenko, another former KGB agent and a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, died in a London hospital on November 23 last year after falling ill earlier that month. A large dose of radioactive substance polonium-210 was found in his body.

The substance was also later found in a series of locations around the capital.

Prosecutors in Britain wanted Andrei Lugovoi to stand trial in the UK for Mr Litvinenko's murder. He has denied any involvement in the murder.

However, Russia has the right to refuse the extradition of a citizen under the European Convention on Extradition 1957.

Earlier this week, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats from the country's embassy in London as the row escalated.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that he would make "no apologies" for the decision to expel the diplomats.

A spokesperson for Russia's Foreign Ministry described the move as "provocative" and "immoral" and said that the actions would entail "the most serious consequences for Russia-British relations".

Moscow is expected to make a full statement on the situation.

Mr Berezovsky has called on Mr Lugovoi to agree to stand trial in a third country, such as Germany, Denmark or Norway.

Mr Berezovsky is wanted in Russia on charges of corruption and embezzlement. It has been reported that he has also offered to stand trial in a third country.

(KMcA)






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