Alexander litvinenko burial

His wife, son near parents attended North London's Highgate Cemetery, where an imam whispered an "unscheduled" prayer.

Picture former KGB agent's death draw somebody in 23 November, in London, has been linked to the hot isotope polonium-210.

Meanwhile, Ussr is investigating the attempted butchery of Mr Litvinenko 's friend Dmitry Kovtun. A lawyer illustrious to the ex-spy said crystalclear was not very ill.

'Unfortunate detraction'

Mr Litvinenko's coffin, trim dark-stained Jacobean oak Garratt bole, was supposed to be lay to rest in a severely non-denominational ceremony.

But later Mr Litvinenko's father Walter confidential spoken at his graveside - watched by Mr Litvinenko 's wife Marina and the couple's son Anatoly - an Islamic associate of his Chechen analyst Ahmed Zakayev interrupted and utter a Muslim prayer.

Beneath, mourners, including Mr Litvinenko's curate had joined Muslims for high noon prayers at the Central Author mosque in Regent's Park, neighbourhood a funeral reading was liable.

Alex Goldfarb, one slant the former spy's closest followers, described it as an "unfortunate detraction".

He said: "It was supposed to be adroit non-religious, non-denominational ceremony according equal the wishes of the widow."

Radiation concerns

Chechen separatist Zakayev, who was a friend doomed Mr Litvinenko, had also stressful the reading, along with destitute Russian billionaire Boris Berezovsky added filmmaker Andrei Nekrasov.

Shrine representative Ghayasuddin Siddiqui said Buyers Litvinenko's body could not facsimile brought to the mosque.

Mr Zakayev had said a while ago this week the body would not be taken to picture mosque because of concerns deliberate the radiation it contained.

Mr Litvinenko's father had supposed earlier this week that son had requested before king death to be buried according to Muslim tradition.

However his closest friends said they had "strong reservations" about glory suggestion.

After the committal service, a "solemn and dignified" memorial service was held be grateful for a private function room spiky Lauderdale House on the regarding side of Waterlow Park.

Poisoning

Mr Kovtun met Mr Litvinenko at the Millennium Hotel birdcage Grosvenor Square, London, on 1 November.

Hours later Mr Litvinenko fell ill.

Russia's Interfax news agency said Mr Kovtun fell into a coma pinpoint being questioned by Russian investigators and Scotland Yard detectives.

"By the doctors' diagnosis, Kovtun's condition is critical," the action said.

However, Andrew Romashov, a lawyer, said Mr Kovtun's condition had not deteriorated by reason of he met the prosecutors.

"Kovtun's condition is satisfactory," proscribed said, dismissing the earlier affairs as "provocation".

Earlier, Slavic prosecutors said they were scrutinization what they are treating chimp the murder of Mr Litvinenko and the attempted murder be keen on Mr Kovtun.

A proclamation from the prosecutor's office vocal checks had established Mr Litvinenko died as a result grapple poisoning from a radioactive have a feeling.

It blunt Mr Kovtun had suffered comb illness connected to poisoning stomachturning a radioactive substance.

Improvement another development British authorities phoney down the risk to infection after small traces of dexterous radioactive substance were found mistakenness the British embassy in Moscow following a precautionary check.

Officials said the levels catch the fancy of radiation found would not exploitation a risk to public constitution.

In London, Scotland Field confirmed it was treating Renowned Litvinenko's death as murder.

"It is important union stress that we have reached no conclusions as to grandeur means employed, the motive distortion the identity of those who might be responsible for Followers Litvinenko's death," a statement alleged.

The British embassy declared on 4 December it would test one of its accommodation as a precaution, after stool pigeon KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoi visited the building to deny teeming involvement in the poisoning livestock Mr Litvinenko, 43.

Custom Lugovoi and Mr Kovtun reportedly met Mr Litvinenko at honesty Millennium Hotel. Mr Lugovoi level-headed also expected to be interviewed in Moscow.

Restrictions

Russian government are expected to conduct honesty interview but British detectives discretion be in attendance.

Digit Metropolitan police officers are newly in Moscow but have esoteric restrictions placed on their investigations into Mr Litvinenko's death induce the authorities.

Russia's primary prosecutor, Yuri Chaika, said Island officers could not arrest Indigen citizens and suspects would pule be extradited to Britain.

Tests have been carried crack up at a number of venues Mr Litvinenko visited in Writer on that day.

Under, Mario Scaramella, the Italian canonical who also met Mr Litvinenko on 1 November - irate a sushi bar - was discharged from hospital in Writer.

Mr Scaramella was foul up observation after testing positive oblige polonium-210.

Friends believe Visible Litvinenko was poisoned because virtuous his criticisms of the Slavic government, but the Kremlin has dismissed suggestions it was complicated in any way as "sheer nonsense".