RUSSIA/BRITAIN: Russia has reacted furiously to Britain's release on bail of Chechen rebel envoy, Mr Akhmed Zakayev - wanted by Moscow for alleged terror crimes - after his arrival in London.
Acting on a request from Russian authorities, British police arrested Mr Zakayev as he flew into Heathrow Airport on Thursday.
He was released on bail yesterday, pending an extradition hearing at a London magistrates court next Wednesday.
Russian foreign minister, Mr Igor Ivanov, compared Mr Akhmed to al Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden: "If bin Laden had said new terrorist acts were being prepared against civilian targets in the US, how would he be dealt with? Like Zakayev? Take him into the police station and then let him out on the street?"
Mr Zakayev has said the only way to prevent attacks in Russia is to hold political talks with rebels on a settlement to war.
Russian officials say this shows that rebel leaders are preparing such attacks.
Current European Union president Denmark arrested Mr Zakayev while he was there for a meeting of Chechen exiles, but released him earlier this week after 34 days in custody, saying Moscow's evidence was insufficient for extradition.
Mr Zakayev, an aide to fugitive Chechen leader, Mr Aslan Maskhadov, has won high-profile support from British actress and human rights activist Vanessa Redgrave. "Mr Zakayev is not a warlord and he is not a terrorist," the Oscar-winning actress told a news conference in London.
She said Mr Zakayev had contacted British authorities via his lawyers before his arrival to tell them he was on his way to Heathrow.
Ms Redgrave said he had a valid multiple entry British visa, granted in July, but declined to say whether he had applied for, or would apply for, asylum.
Mr Zakayev's arrival, and Moscow's response, puts Britain's stance on Chechnya under the international spotlight.
Prime Minister Tony Blair's government has put great effort into building relations with Russian president, Vladimir Putin, despite sharp criticism of Moscow by human rights groups for alleged abuses in Chechnya.
A British police statement listed Russian allegations against Mr Zakayev as a string of murders as well as "levying war".
The allegations included participation in the killing of a Russian Orthodox priest in the Chechen capital Grozny and "no fewer than 300 militia officers" in August 1996. - (Reuters)