Britain had always made clear the decision to expel four Russian diplomats announced this week was because Moscow had refused to extradite the man suspected of killing Litvinenko, a British citizen.
Moscow and London are engaged in a furious diplomatic row over Russia's refusal to hand over the man, Andrei Lugovoy, who is suspected of poisoning Litvinenko with the rare radioactive isotope polonium 210 in London last year.
However, Boris Berezovsky, is being tried in absentia in Moscow for theft because Britain has refused to extradite him to Russia to face trial. Boris Berezovsky, is one of the Russians who stole billions from Russia when Yeltsin was in power.
Britain was the first to refuse to extradite the Russian, now it screams and shouts at Russia. One law for us and one law for them!!!!
2007-07-18 04:19:33 · 6 answers · asked by Knight Crusader 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It is a bit like the pot calling the kettle black isn't it. I think it's a case of what goes around comes around for Britain in this instance. And as for expelling diplomats that is grossly childish on our governments behalf !! :)
2007-07-18 04:28:21 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An excellent question artybart.
You're right, it's not really a question of right and wrong just a matter of international hypocrisy. We have in the UK people who should not be here as there is a genuine legal claim on them being tried within their own sovereign territories and Berezovsky is only one of them.
We're going to have to live with the fact that Lugovoi is never going to stand trial for the murder of Litvinenko in the UK despite the evidence trail being extremely clear cut; this guy could not look guilty if he had been photographed spiking Litvinenko's tea; but hey we might have guessed that given that the whole thing looks like it was sanctioned by Putin. Putin is the Soviet hard man and you and I both know that he is not going to capitulate in this row. If we had played ball with their longstanding extradition requests we would not be in the ridiculous situation of expelling diplomats from another country member of the UN Security Council. We're going to catch some serious heat when Putin responds and he may well force up energy prices to the UK just to force the point home.
2007-07-18 04:26:28 · answer #2 · answered by politicsguy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, of course they were. Lugovoy is obviously guilty, otherwise he would have no problem in coming over to the UK to clear his name. By refusing to send him over, the Kremlin is protecting a man who murdured Litvinenko in a horrific way, and left potentially dangerous traces of a radioactive substance across London. If Russia is going to act in this way, protecting such people, why should we not expel the people who represent such lawlessness and disregard for justice?
Also, if we just try him in his absense, then any sentance brought against him will not be imposed, because Russia will not impose it. I'm sure is Berezovsky is found guilty in a recognised court, Britain will imprison him in a prison here, if they feel deporting him would put his life at risk. However, we know that there is no risk to Lugovoy, yet the Russians are just being arrogant and stupid. I hope the UN gets involved, and forces them to stop acting like spoil children.
2007-07-18 05:40:10 · answer #3 · answered by Kit Fang 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You raise a good point, infact Russia is seeking the extradition of 21 people currently residing in Britain, including a Chechen Warlord.
The main problem is Britain refuse to because of Russia's poor human rights record
2007-07-18 04:27:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
YEAH
theres a lot of other idiots that should be expelled as well,
2007-07-18 04:26:21 · answer #5 · answered by lilian c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry for the guy above me..
2007-07-20 06:00:11 · answer #6 · answered by Bug 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋