Russia rejects British extradition request: Ifax

Moscow, July 5: Russia has sent the British authorities a letter officially turning down a request to extradite the suspect in the murder of Russian emigre Alexander Litvinenko, Interfax news agency said today.

The agency cited what it called an informed source in Moscow.

There was no immediate official confirmation. Russian officials had previously told reporters they would not extradite suspect Andrei Lugovoy but British diplomats said they awaited an official response.

Reuters>