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Prosecutors extend Berezovsky coup-plan investigation

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MOSCOW, May 31 (RIA Novosti) -Prosecutors in Russia have extended an investigation into tycoon Boris Berezovsky in connection with his claims that he was preparing a coup in the country, his lawyer said Wednesday.

"The investigation has been extended until August 16," lawyer Andrei Borovikov said, adding that he had no right to comment on how the investigation was proceeding.

In January 2006, Berezovsky, who is wanted in Russia on massive embezzlement and fraud charges but was granted political asylum in the United Kingdom in 2004, told the Ekho Moskvy (Echo of Moscow) radio station that he was planning a coup in Russia.

Jack Straw, Britain's foreign secretary at the time, warned Berezovsky that his status could be reviewed.

"They [those granted asylum] are advised that their refugee status can be reviewed at any time when it is considered their presence is not conducive to the public good," Straw said.

In March 2006, the Prosecutor General's Office sent a new extradition request to the British authorities but has received no reply so far.

"We understand that this process may take a month or two," Deputy Prosecutor General Vladimir Kolesnikov said.

The U.K. rejected a previous extradition request for Berezovsky and is home to more than a dozen suspects wanted in Russia in connection with the long-running case around embattled oil company Yukos, as well as Akhmed Zakayev, known as the Chechen militants' envoy and wanted in Russia on terrorism charges.

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