Russia asks UK to extradite mogul

Mr Gutseriyev accuses the Russian state of "unprecedented hounding"

Russia is asking Britain to extradite former oil tycoon Mikhail Gutseriyev, who fled the country alleging harassment by the state.

A spokesman for Russia's interior ministry said Mr Gutseriyev was wanted in connection with alleged illegal business activities and tax evasion.

Charges against Mr Gutseriyev, the former president of Russneft oil company, were filed last year.

He says he fled to Britain because of "hounding" by the Russian state.

Moscow has unsuccessfully sought the extradition from Britain of other former prominent figures in Russia.

The row over the poisoning in London in 2006 of former intelligence agent Alexander Litvinenko, and Russia's subsequent refusal to hand over the main suspect has strained relations between the two countries.