Akhmed Zakayev cannot call himself emissary of president of Ichkeria any longer

After the decision of the parliament of so-called Ichkeria (the self-name of Chechnya) on "impeachment" to president Aslan Maskhadov, Akhmed Zakayev cannot call himself emissary of the president of Ichkeria, aide to the president of Russia Sergei Yastrzhembsky said.

"This decision (of the so-called Ichkerian parliament) can hardly influence the frame of mind of the British judges, those who are considering Zakayev's case in England (on his extradition to Russia) but from this moment Mr. Zakayev cannot call himself emissary of the president of Ichkeria but only emissary of field commander Maskhadov", Yastrzhembsky stated.

"From this standpoint the decision of the so-called Ichkerian parliament carries a sizeable positive charge", the aide to the president of Russia emphasised.

Deputies of the former parliament of the so-called Ichkeria declared "impeachment" to Aslan Maskhadov. His actions "led to destruction of the republic", Isa Temirov who was acting chairman of the Ichkerian parliament stated at a press conference in Moscow.

He read out "a resolution of the parliament of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria of September 5, 2003" which says that Maskhadov "in violation of the constitution illegally assumed power and by his decree introduced sharia rule in the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria thereby changing the basic principles of the constitutional system, which is a gravest crime".