Zakayev Deprived of the Chance to Avoid Extradition

A new resolution signed by Britain's junior Home Office minister has deprived Zakayev of the chance to avoid extradition by covering himself with political motives. The resolution, which entered into force on January 10th, 2003, recognized Russia as a member of the January 27th, 1977 European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism, an informed source in London said on Thursday. This means all Russian-British issues regulated by the Convention must be solved in accordance with this international legal document. On January 31st, Zakayev faces the court that deals with the case of his extradition to Russia.

British experts say recognition of Russia as a member of the Convention deprives every terrorist /including Zakayev/ of the opportunity to avoid extradition on the ground that the crime he committed was provoked by political motives. According to the Convention, there is no motive to justify grave crimes like murder, hostage-taking, kidnapping, etc.

The British side has agreed that failure to recognize Russia as a member of a leading anti-terrorist convention was "an unintelligible technical miscarriage," which surfaced in connection with Zakayev's case.

At the same time, experts believe the extradition of Zakayev may take a year or even more, by analogy with the inquiries the USA, France and other countries made to have terrorist suspects extradited.

Apart from Russia, the Convention unites 14 countries, including Ukraine and Moldova.