Russia may try Lugovoy if London proves his guilt

MOSCOW, Aug 3 (Reuters) Russia said today it might launch a criminal case against Andrei Lugovoy, whose extradition Britain is seeking on charges of murdering emigre Alexander Litvinenko, if London provides enough proof of his guilt.

''If we are convinced -- just like them (Britain) -- that this is a serious case, then we have a wealth of precedents when we would launch a criminal case of our own, hold court hearings and read out the verdict,'' Russian news agencies quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying.

REUTERS RS KP2352