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By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Dec 12, 2007, 12:19 GMT

Russia declares British Council 'illegal' operation

(M&C) - Russia has declared the British Council to be an "illegal" operation and ordered it to shut down all operations outside Moscow by the end of January. Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he speaks during a meeting with top officials of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Moscow's Kremlin, 11 December 2007. EPA/DMITRY ASTAKHOV/ RIA NOVOSTI/KREMLIN POOL

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he speaks during a meeting with top officials of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Moscow's Kremlin, 11 December 2007. EPA/DMITRY ASTAKHOV/ RIA NOVOSTI/KREMLIN POOL

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he speaks during a meeting with top officials of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Moscow's Kremlin, 11 December 2007. EPA/DMITRY ASTAKHOV/ RIA NOVOSTI/KREMLIN POOLThe order has worsened already difficult relations between Moscow and London.The Russian foreign ministry said the Council, which has 15 offices throughout the country, promoting British culture and offering English lessons, has no legal basis for operating in the country.The move by Moscow is seen as a retaliation for the expelling of four Russian diplomats from Britain in July as a result of the diplomatic row over the murder on British soil of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko.Russia has refused to extradite former KGB agent Andrei Lugovoy, the man Britain suspects of killing Mr Litvinenko.However Natalia Minchenko, marketing director for the British Council's main Moscow office, said, "We have no plans to shut down [the regional offices]."British embassy officials have yet to comment on the order to leave.

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