I am innocent, did not kill Litvinenko : Lugovoi

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Moscow, July 21 (UNI) Russian businessman Andrei Lugovoi has once again denied that he killed former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko, saying he was innocent.

''No, I did not,'' he said during an interview with Ekho Moskvy radio station in a reply to the question if he had committed the murder.

''I did not take part in the attack on Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky either,'' Lugovoi said.

He said he did not think the British authorities had direct evidence confirming his alleged involvement in the death of Litvinenko.

''I was surprised to learn that no charges had been brought against Dmitry Kovtun although I visited the Millennium bar together with Litvinenko and him,'' he said.

''How could I use an aspirin pill or spray something, like a waiter claimed, in front of two eyewitnesses?'' Lugovoi asked.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said his country was interested in normalising relations with Britain, assuming they were based on respect for each other's interests and common sense.

"We are interested in normalising relations between Russia and Britain. We believe relations should be based on common sense and respect for each other's interests," RIA Novosti news agency quoted Mr Lavrov as saying in Berlin.

"With such an approach, all problems could be resolved, and we are prepared for that," he said, reiterating, however, that London was politicising the case.

Mr Lavrov also said London was the first to cease cooperation in fighting terrorism by suspending contacts with the Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia's main anti-terrorism body.

"Russia has not rejected anti-terrorism cooperation with Britain.

It was Britain that rejected it," he said.

In a retaliatory move, Russia yesterday expelled four British diplomats, suspended anti-terrorism cooperation with Britain, and said it would stop issuing visas to British officials.

UNI

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