KIEV, July 16 – A key figure in the investigation into the dioxin poisoning in 2004 that disfigured and nearly killed Viktor Yushchenko when he was running for president was granted Russian citizenship, investigators said Wednesday.

Ukraine has asked Russia to hand over the former deputy chief of Ukraine’s security service, Volodymyr Satsyuk. Satsyuk is also wanted for suspected abuse of office in a separate probe.