January 28, 2007	Sunday	Muharram 08, 1428

MOSCOW, Jan 27: The Russian reported by British media to be a suspect in the radiation poisoning murder of a former Russian agent in London hit out on Saturday at “lies, provocation and government propaganda,” telling the Associated Press he had no role in the crime.

Andrei Lugovoi said he viewed the reports in Britain’s Guardian newspaper and Sky News that he is a suspect in the killing of Alexander Litvinenko as an attempt by the British authorities to make up for the lack of evidence against him.

“This is all lies, provocation and government propaganda by the United Kingdom,” he said. “They are trying to make up for their weak hand.”

Sky News reported on Friday that British prosecutors believe they have enough evidence to charge Lugovoi.

Investigators have identified a teapot believed to have contained radioactive tea that eventually killed Litvinenko in November, Sky News said, citing unnamed Scotland Yard officials. ABC News had a similar report, citing an unidentified official.

The reports cap a week of media speculation on the direction of the British investigation into the death. The Guardian newspaper also reported on Friday that police were focussing on Lugovoi and had sufficient evidence for prosecutors to decide whether to file charges against him, citing unnamed government officials.

Litvinenko, 43, died on Nov 23.—AP