Russia ready to prosecute Lugovoi on justified grounds:Prosecutor

Moscow, July 23 (UNI) Russia today said it was ready to prosecute businessman Andrei Lugovoi, key suspect in the murder of former KGB agent Alexander Litivinenko, in London, if Britain provided justified grounds.

''We propose sending to the Russian Prosecutor General's Office a request by Britain to launch criminal proceedings with all the available documentation attached,'' Deputy Russian Prosecutor General Alexander Zvyagintsev said at a news conference.

Mr Zvyagintsev said Russian prosecutors were ready to help Britain in the case, adding that Russia cooperates with foreign states in criminal prosecutions of people accused of committing crimes outside Russia.

He stressed Britain's response to Moscow's refusal to extradite Lugovoi was ''plainly groundless, inappropriate, unjustified and politically motivated.'' He pointed out that Moscow was interested in establishing the identities of persons implicated in the murder of Litvinenko.

''We have been saying all along that Alexander Litvinenko was a very important witness for us and his death was a blow to the investigation into several cases. Therefore, we are interested in prosecuting the person who committed this crime, whoever he is,'' Mr Zvyagintsev said.

Russia expelled four British diplomats last week, imposed visa restrictions and suspended cooperation in fighting terrorism with Britain, following similar measures by London, amid a bitter row over Moscow's refusal to extradite Mr Lugovoi.

Mr Lugovoi, a former Kremlin bodyguard turned businessman, has repeatedly denied the charges.

Russia has refused to extradite him to London for trial, citing its Constitution.

''Britain is demanding that Russia change its Constitution for the extradition of a single individual,'' Mr Zvyagintsev said, noting that there had been no such precedent yet.

''The calls to circumvent the requirements of the Constitution are all the more inadequate. The British side cares little about the supremacy of law. There are too many ambitions and conceit,'' he said.

UNI