November 24, 2006
Kremlin Says Litvinenko's Death 'A Tragedy'
Litvinenko in a London hospital on November 20 (epa)
November 24, 2006 -- A Kremlin official today described the death of former Russian intelligence agent Aleksandr Litvinenko in London as a "tragedy."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says an investigation into the case is a matter for British authorities. He made the remarks on the sidelines of the European Union-Russia summit in Helsinki.
It was the Kremlin's first official reaction to Litvinenko's death late last night in London. Litvinenko died three weeks after apparently being poisoned.
Litvinenko was a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
British authorities are treating the matter as an "unexplained death." Doctors say they still have not determined the exact manner of Litvinenko's suspected poisoning.
Litvinenko and his supporters accused the Kremlin of being behind a plot to assassinate him. The Russian government has denied any involvement.
(Interfax, AFP, Reuters)