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Zakayev a man of peace: Redgrave
LONDON, England (CNN) -- British actress Vanessa Redgrave has defended senior Chechen separatist Ahmed Zakayev -- who is alleged to have been connected with hundreds of murders in Chechnya -- as a "man of peace." The Russian Federation wants British authorities to extradite Zakayev, 43, based on a warrant that lists several charges against the Chechen envoy, including over 300 murders between 1995-96. But Redgrave, who has posted nearly $80,000 (£50,000) bail for Zakayev following his arrest in London, told CNN she was sure her friend would die if Britain decides to extradite him.
"If he was sent back, he would be tortured, he would be killed in some jail," she said. "He's not a rebel, he's an elected leader. He was elected in elections of January '97, which was supervised and endorsed by the OSCE [Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe] and later endorsed by [Russian] President [Boris] Yeltsin." Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov has criticized Britain for releasing Zakayev on bail. (Full story) Zakayev, the envoy of Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov, was arrested in Copenhagen on the sidelines of the World Chechen Congress in October -- also at Russia's request. However, Danish officials released him, saying the Russians had not provided enough evidence to extradite him. He was arrested by British authorities at Heathrow International Airport on December 5 after arriving from Copenhagen.
The World Chechen Congress took place a week after Chechen rebels took about 800 hostages in a Moscow theatre. More than 100 people died in the hostage standoff with Russian authorities. Redgrave denied Russian claims that Zakayev was connected with the deadly theatre siege, saying he condemned the incident. She said Russia's extradition warrant was issued a long time ago but not enforced until after the standoff. "Mr. Zakayev had been in Moscow talking to [Russian President Vladimir] Mr. Putin's representative 40 days after this so-called arrest warrant had been issued and was in England as my guest from the beginning of this year and they never sent an extradition warrant," Redgrave said. "Suddenly they sent an extradition warrant, because they wanted to silence one of the few men in Europe who could speak for peace." Russian officials have scolded the Danish government for allowing the Chechen conference to go ahead in Copenhagen, saying many of the summit attendees represent terrorists and may have ties to Chechen rebels responsible for the theatre standoff.
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