the extradicting issue - am I missing something...

[ChuffingHell]

Russia wanted two UK citizens extradicted for crimes. We said no. Now we want to a Russian citizen extradicted for crimes. They said no. We think that's totally unreasonable.

I know the Litvenenko (sp) matter is a possible murder case but is what the two Russian/UK citizens that did significantly less serious?

Normally I think on the whole we're a relatively fair government but this does seem a bit 'one rule for them and another for us'. I can't understand why is it okay for us not to extradicte but not okay for Russia to and wonder if I'm missing something.

[Gromit]

We want Mr Lugovoi here to face a jury for a crime committed in this country. The Rusiians wanted the Chechen man just because of his political views. The decision not to deport him went to a judical review and Senior district judge Timothy Workman said that it would be "unjust and oppressive" to return Mr Zakayev to Russia to face trial.

[jno]

The Russians want Berezovsky too, especially since he hinted at overthrowing Putin by force. With regret, I think they have a point. But Britain won't extradite him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Berezovsky

[kwicky]

What annoys me is these Russian dissidents flee their own country where they are about to undergo a trial and arrive in Britain and claim asylum. Once here they get on their soapboxes and create propaganda and ferment against Russia even to the point of extolling the overthrow of Putin. They should be sent packing back to Russia to face trial! You have to ask yourself whether the murder of 1 man, however brutal, is any less tolerable than the possible upheaval of a whole country by propaganda or lies.

[Whickerman]

Like it or not, it would be a breach of Russia's constitution to extradite a citizen. Similar rules apply in the US, France and many other countries.

[Panic Button]

I have no doubt there is a hell of a lot more to this story than we will ever know.

[Gromit]

And this story has today come into the public domain, apparently having happened 3 weeks ago. Obviously released because the Government wants it to be.

The UK Gov apparently stepping up the propaganda war with Russia.

Plot to kill Berezovsky 'foiled by MI5'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml =/news/2007/07/18/wrussia218.xml

[jno]

actually, I wish the UK wasn't quite so keen to hand over its nationals to other countries to be tried.

[kwicky]

It don't make sense to me. It is alright to attempt to muder someone, ie Berezovsky with a slap on the wrist and sent home packing. Better try next time is the message being sent out.