U.S. Investigates Shooting Of Russia Expert

March 4, 2007 -- Federal and local law enforcement officials in the United States are investigating the shooting of a U.S. expert on Russian intelligence
Two men shot Paul Joyal near his home in a Washington suburb on March 1. The identity of the shooters is unknown.

Joyal survived the shooting and is in a hospital in critical condition.

The shooting occurred four days after Joyal said in a television interview that Russian President Vladimir Putin's government was involved in the death of former Russian security-services officer Aleksandr Litvinenko.

In the interview, Joyal accused the Kremlin of participating in a conspiracy to silence its critics.

Litvinenko, a Kremlin critic, died in London in November after being poisoned with polonium-210.

Joyal, a Washington-based consultant, is known for his expertise on the former Soviet Union.

(AFP, washingtonpost.com, ft.com)