London court adjourns Zakayev extradition hearings until June 30

Bow Street magistrates court in London adjourned extradition proceedings against Chechen insurgency emissary Akhmed Zakayev until June 30 on Wednesday.

In two extra days granted by the court for hearings - June 30 and July 1, witnesses for the prosecution will give evidence, if called. In addition, the prosecution will have an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses for the defense.

During the Wednesday morning session of the court, the defense called two witnesses from Russia - Ivan Rybkin, former speaker of the State Duma lower house and former secretary of Russia's Security Council, and veteran human rights activist Sergei Kovalyev.

Russian law enforcement charges Zakayev with the commission of a whole host of crimes, including murders, running guerrilla bands and hostage taking.