Russia: top official accuses U.S. of double standards

Russia: top official accuses U.S. of double standards

He lamented that a number of Chechen rebel leaders were allowed in the United States and other nations, the AP reports.

Moscow has repeatedly criticized Washington for granting political asylum in 2004 to Ilyas Akhmadov, foreign minister in the rebel Chechen government. Britain has also come under fire for giving refuge to Chechen rebel envoy Akhmed Zakayev.

At the same time, Patrushev noted progress in cooperation between Russian and U.S. special services, citing the recent detention in the United States of Lebanese national Mohamad Kamal Elzahabi, who was wanted on suspicion of participating in rebel activity in Chechnya.