State Duma Deputy Andrei Lugovoi, accused by Britain in the poisoning death of former Federal Security Service agent Alexander Litvinenko, said he has given evidence to a London court about Britain's decision to grant asylum to businessman Boris Berezovsky.
"Earlier this year I was contacted by British lawyers who took my testimony as a witness regarding the circumstances in which Mr. Berezovsky received asylum in Britain," Lugovoi said in an interview published Friday in Rossiiskaya Gazeta. "I duly testified in detail, and in March my testimony was presented to the court. It is currently being considered."
Lugovoi said he believed that Berezovsky, who lives in self-imposed exile in London and is wanted on fraud and other charges by Russia, claimed asylum fraudulently.
He also said he had no plans to travel to Britain to testify in person. "I am not an idiot, and I am not going to go there to be arrested," he said.
(MT)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
