15 November 2003, 17:17
London's court refused to extradite Akhmed Zakaev to Russia
On November 13, London's Magistrates' Court considered the inquiry of the Russian Public Prosecutor's Office concerning the extradition of the Chechen militants' emissary Akhmed Zakaev to Russia. Judge Timothy Workman announced the court decision. He pointed out that Zakaev's return to Russia would be an unfair decision. More over, the judge considers Russia's demand of Zakaev's extradition political and does not exclude that Zakaev may be subjected to torture upon his return to Russia.
It is worth reminding that Zakaev arrived from Copenhagen in London on December 5, 2002, he was arrested there the same day and released later on a bail of 50 thousand pounds (80 thousand US dollars). The Russian party brought charges against Zakaev by 11 articles of the Russian Criminal Code, including terrorism, murder, kidnapping and participation in an armed rebellion.
Source: Rosbalt News Agency
