Firstly, it was to Denmark that Mr Zakaev "fled" after the Russian-Chechen conflicts, not Britain. Both Denmark and Britain did as a matter of fact consider requests for his extradition, but these were overturned by court hearings. A recent RT televised piece gave the (no doubt unintentionally) mistaken impression that Britain had refused to extradite him in the face of evidence that he was behind the Dubrovka theatre siege of 2002. In fact the only charge that Mr Zakaev has ever faced was for the kidnapping and "murder" of an Orthodox priest who not only turned out not to be dead but ended up testifiying on Mr Zakaev's behalf. Since then Mr Zakaev has been accused of all sorts of crimes but as far as I am aware not a single shred of evidence has ever been produced to back these up. As Mr Zakaev was a leading figure in the war against Russia it is hardly surprising that he has hitherto been viewed as an "enemy" by the Russian regime. However difficult it may be for Russia to accept, however, most observers outside this conflict would - and do - regard Mr Zakaev's activities, in common with the activities of scores of others on both sides, as military actions taking place in an internal conflict. In particular they don't understand why Russia pursues a policy of demonising a man who in comparison to many of the "militants" it faces in the North Caucasues, is very much a moderate. Mr Zakaev has incurred the wrath, indeed the sentence of death, from some Chechen militants, for his moderate stance. Furthermore, his status as "one of Russia's most wanted men" took a new twist when the current Chechen regime invited him home to take part in the government of that country early last year. They apparently expected Mr Zakaev to return while refusing at the same time to withdraw charges against him. Not surprisingly he declined their offer ...

It is hard to avoid the conclusion that it is the policy of the Russian regime to tar any Chechen who does not fall into an accepted line with the same "militant" brush. As the hardline, indeed brutal repressive tactics of the Kadyrov regime begin to founder, as it was always inevitable that they would, the failure to adopt a positive and inclusive approach towards the voice of moderate Chechen nationalism, is utterly baffling.

Regardless of the wrongs and rights of this particular case, Poland's legal system's...(like so much of its Officialdom's) far closer closer to 'Mickey Mouse' than anything considered halfway correct, elsewhere.

@sevodnya_net Condoning terrorists together with their protectors and conspirators, who are responsible for the murder of hundreds of children on their first school day is beyond despicable. No amount of propaganda and criminal posturing will wash away the innocent blood of these children from the hands of the perpetrators and their supporters. It is there to stay until the Day of reckoning in the world to come... BTW, perhaps a change in your nickname would suit better: sevodnya_net == сводня_да

I'm not sure if there is some understanding here about Zakayev apart from him 'being a terrorist'. He's been granted asylum and living in the UK since 2002, he is known as a representative of the government in exile of Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and he was indeed issued with fatwa for his "betrayal". Recently he was involved in talks with representatives of the current Chechen government to promote stopping Chechens killing fellows Chechens. The Beslan tragedy happened in September 2004. I remember his appearance on one of the British TV channels together with Vanessa Redgrave to give his insights on situation in Chechnya, but the timing was wrong to draw attention from the innocent children under siege. I was one of those who complained about insensitivity of that broadcasting. Another very important point to understand is that British judicial system doesn't put al-Qaeda and other terrorists in one "terror threat" category. Chechnya is very much Russia's "domestic affair" whether we like it or not. According to the UNCHR statistics, in 2003 more Chechens than Iraqis applied for asylum in members countries of the EU. I don't think it is reasonable to assume that British public should treat all Chechen refugees as terrorists.

October 27, 2010, 17:27, Joanne W. wrote > @sevodnya_net > Condoning terrorists together with their protectors and conspirators, who are > responsible for the murder of hundreds of children on their first school day > is beyond despicable. No amount of propaganda and criminal posturing will > wash away the innocent blood of these children from the hands of the perpetrators > and their supporters. It is there to stay until the Day of reckoning in the world to come... > BTW, perhaps a change in your nickname would suit better: sevodnya_net == сводня_да I quite agree. But you are assuming that Mr Zakaev is a terrorist, and I am telling you that I do not believe that he is. Svetlana's measured and informative comments are much more to the point.