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November 28, 2006

Blair Calls Case Of Poisoned Ex-Spy 'Serious'

Aleksandr Litvinenko pictured a few days before his death (epa)

November 28, 2006 -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair today said the death in London of the former Russian intelligence officer Aleksandr Litvinenko was a "very serious matter."

Litvinenko died last week of radioactive poisoning, putting a strain on British-Russian ties.


Blair, who could meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a NATO summit in Riga, said there will be "no diplomatic or political barrier in the way of [the police] investigation going wherever it needs to go."


Litvinenko blamed Putin for his death in a statement read out by his friends after his death.


The Kremlin has denied any involvement, and Russian prosecutors have offered to help with the investigation.


(dpa)


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