Thaindian News

WARSAW, POLAND (BNO NEWS) – Chechen separatist leader, Akhmed Zakayev, on Friday was detained in Warsaw, Poland where he was expected to attend the World Chechen Congress.

Ria Novosti reported that Zakayev was on his way to the Polish prosecutor’s office to present documents related to a Russian extradition request against him on terrorist charges. Zakayev was placed on the international wanted list on 2001 by Russia.

In 2002, he was granted political asylum by the United Kingdom (UK) and he currently resides in London. Russia has repeatedly requested Zakayev’s extradition to Britain without success. Russia claimed that Zakayev was attempting to revive the militant movement in Chechnya.

Polish prosecutors decided on Friday to ask a Polish court to consider extending Zakayev’s arrest, in order to wait for Russia to present sufficient evidence to support the extradition. In response, Leonid Slutsky, deputy of the Russian lower house of parliament, said that Russia can provide such evidence.

“There is a huge evidentiary base. If need be, Moscow will present even greater confirmation of this. I have no doubt that Zakayev will be tried in Russia to the full extent of the law,” said Leonid Slutsky.

In 2002, Zakayev was arrested in Denmark at Moscow’s request, but then released as Denmark said Russia did not provide sufficient evidence to justify his extradition.

Zakayev took part in the first Chechen War and led the attacks against the federal forces. The separatist leader has also spoken against Islamic radicalism in the North Caucasus. He was “sentenced to death” by Chechnya’s most wanted militant leader, Doku Umarov, in 2007.