London, 6 December 2002 (RFE/RL) -- Chechen rebel leader Akhmed Zakaev, who is wanted by Russian authorities for alleged terrorist activities, has been ordered to appear in a British court next week. Zakaev arrived in London overnight from Denmark where he spent nearly five weeks in custody. Danish authorities released him earlier this week saying Moscow had not presented sufficient evidence to back its request for Zakaev's extradition to Russia.
Russian authorities accuse Zakaev of involvement in terrorist acts in the late 1990s and have issued an international warrant for his arrest. Police in London said Zakaev was briefly detained under the warrant when he arrived in London overnight. He was released on bail and was ordered to appear in court on 11 December.
In Moscow, Sergei Yastrzhembskii, a senior aide to President Vladimir Putin, said Russia will seek Zakaev's extradition wherever he is. There is an extradition agreement between Britain and Russia.
Russian authorities accuse Zakaev of involvement in terrorist acts in the late 1990s and have issued an international warrant for his arrest. Police in London said Zakaev was briefly detained under the warrant when he arrived in London overnight. He was released on bail and was ordered to appear in court on 11 December.
In Moscow, Sergei Yastrzhembskii, a senior aide to President Vladimir Putin, said Russia will seek Zakaev's extradition wherever he is. There is an extradition agreement between Britain and Russia.