Alexander Litvinenko Suspect In Bid To Be MP

THE prime suspect in the death of Alexander Litvinenko, the former KGB officer poisoned with polonium in London, is planning to enter politics in a move that could give him immunity from prosecution.

Andrei Lugovoi, who is wanted for murder in Britain, could stand for the Russian parliament in elections this December if he receives the support of a national party. According to political sources in Moscow, Lugovo will put his name forward at tomorrows conference of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR). It is led by the ultra-nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky and has 35 of the 446 seats in the Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament. In an interview yesterday with Moscow regional televisions Channel 3, Zhirinovsky confirmed that he was proposing Lugovoi as number two on the party list.

Dimitry Kovtun, a close friend of Lugovoi who was with him when he met Litvinenko in London on the day the former spy is believed to have been poisoned, said Lugovoi had receievd some interesting offers from the world of Russian politics. Should Lugovoi run for parliament, it would further damage relations between Britain and Russia, which are already at their most strained since the end of the cold war as a result of Litvinenkos murder. Political sources say he could not run without the tacit consent of the Kremlin. A seat would give him immunity from prosecution in Russia, although this could be waived by a majority vote in the Duma.

Britain demanded Lugovois extradition after traces of polonium 210 were found in several London locations he had visited before Litvinenko was poisoned. Russia refused, citing its constitution, which bars its citizens from being extradited and tried abroad. In protest, Gordon Browns government expelled four Russian diplomats from the embassy in London. The move infuriated the Kremlin, which described the extradition request as stupid and expelled four British diplomats. Lugovoi, 42, has denied any involvement in Litvinenkos death. He said he was framed, possibly by British intelligence, and that he would not receive a fair trial in Britain. Officials in Moscow have not ruled out putting Lugovoi on trial in Russia, but this would be more difficult if he became an MP.

Lugovoi has become a celebrity in Russia since Litvinenkos death. He is often interviewed by the Russian media, is recognised in the street and has been asked for autographs. Most Russians support the Kremlins refusal to extradite him and many believe he is innocent. Lugovoi went into the Soviet military aged 16 and the KGB two years later. He joined a special unit in charge of protecting the countrys political leaders and at one point was a personal bodyguard to Yegor Gaidar, the former liberal prime minister. He left in the mid-1990s to work as head of security for a company controlled by Boris Berezovsky, the exiled tycoon living in London. Six years ago he went into business; he is now believed to be a multi-millionaire.

His statements have become increasingly political. Last month he praised the Kremlins decision to resume long-distance surveillance flights outside Russias borders, a practice that had ceased with the collapse of the Soviet Union. He has also described himself as a patriot. Such views are increasingly popular in Russia as it flexes its muscles on the international stage to regain influence. Lugovois military background — his father was a Soviet army officer — and his KGB pedigree would play well with many of Zhirinovskys voters. His image as a successful businessman would also attract votes. Lugovoi has a high profile in Russia now, said a Duma source. From his point of view it would make sense to capitalise on that and think of launching a political career, not least because a certain section of the Russian electorate would definitely vote for him.

The endorsement of the high-profile Lugovoi could also help to revive the fortunes of the LDPR. Known for its firebrand anti-western rhetoric, the party gained 23% of the vote at its peak in 1993 but has slumped to 5% in the latest polls. Following a tightening of electoral rules, it will now need 7% to secure seats in the next Duma.

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