Extradition may be sought in ex-spy death

LONDON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Britain's Scotland Yard reportedly is close to requesting extradition of a Russian businessman in the poisoning death of ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.

Litvinenko, a former KGB agent turned critic of President Vladimir Putin, apparently was poisoned with the radioactive substance polonium 210 last November while in London.

Andrea Lugovoi, a former KGB bodyguard, is identified as a man of interest but Scotland Yard will not comment on the report, the Guardian said.

Lugovoi visited the hotels and offices at which radioactivity has since been detected in Britain. He met Litvinenko in London on the day the former spy fell ill.

Lugovoi repeatedly has denied any involvement in the death.