Russia awaits U.K.’s official comment on new Litvinenko claims

DUSHANBE



, July 10, 2008, Asia-Plus –



Russia



is awaiting an official response from the British authorities over recent allegations of the Kremlin”s alleged involvement in the 2006 killing of a former Russian security officer in the

U.K.

, the Russian ambassador in


London


said Wednesday. The latest claims emerged in a BBC program aired on Monday in the U,K. which quoted a senior British security official as saying there were “very strong indications” the London killing of Russian security service defector Alexander Litvinenko was a “state action” by Russia. The comments were made on the same day that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev held his first meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, at the Group of Eight summit in


Japan


. Yury Fedotov told RIA Novosti: “They should either dismiss these claims or confirm them. If they confirm these claims, we will have to review our priorities in bilateral relations with the


U.K.


” Alexander Litvinenko died of radioactive poisoning in


London


on November 23, 2006, three weeks after suddenly falling ill. British investigators accused Russian agent-turned-businessman Andrei Lugovoi over the murder, and demanded his extradition, sparking a major diplomatic row with


Moscow


. Russian presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko said on Tuesday the timing of the British report was no coincidence, and was aimed at scuppering efforts to mend ties between the countries, the main theme of the leaders” discussions on Monday. “We are trying to work to bring Russian-British relations out of this dead end. These various leaks and rumors show that unfortunately in


Britain


not everyone shares the constructive frame of mind that we have sensed from the prime minister,” he said. Meanwhile,


Russia


”s top investigators said on Tuesday they had made significant progress in investigating the Litvinenko murder, and rejected new claims of the Kremlin”s role in his death.