Russian Deputy Prosecutor General: Zakayev's case must be tried in Russian court

Sergei Fridinsky, Russian Deputy Prosecutor General, told a press conference in the Russian Embassy to London on Friday that the London trial of Akhmed Zakayev, Chechen separatists' emissary, has convincingly demonstrated his case must be tried in the Russian court.

According to Fridinsky, the court examination of this case's evidence, including the witnesses' testimony for defense, have demonstrated "they are rather far from Chechnya problems, far from the problems of Russian jurisprudence." "The evidence presented by the Russian party must serve as a basis for Akhmed Zakayev's extradition back to Russia," emphasized Fridinsky. "The British court should not position itself as an arbitration court, since in case of refusal to extradite Zakayev this would mean the Russian justice is unable to sort things out in that issue," Russia's Deputy Prosecutor General explained.

While substantiating his adherence to the thesis that Zakayev's case must be submitted for consideration to the Russian court, Fridinsky mentioned: "We're talking about Russian citizens on both sides and the legal relations existing in the Russian Federation." While replying to the question what actions the Russian side intends to take in case of London's court denial to extradite Akhmed Zakayev back to Russia, Sergei Fridinsky said: "According to the law, we can appeal against that decision and seek its reconsideration by a British court of higher jurisdiction."