Russia resolved to have Berezovsky extradited

Russia will continue to seek the extradition of Russian magnate Boris Berezovsky, even though he has been granted political asylum in Great Britain recently.

"The Prosecutor General's Office has only too many reasons to continue the process. I think, it will succeed in having Berezovsky extradited," Russian Deputy Justice Minister Yury Kalinin said at a news conference in Moscow on Monday.

The Berezovsky case is linked to that of Chechen emissary Akhmed Zakayev, said the deputy minister. "Berezovsky's people can always be seen near Zakayev," he said.

He denied comments on Russia's effort to have Zakayev extradited from Britain, saying they could be regarded as pressure on the British court.

Yet, Mr Kalinin said he personally hoped the British court's ruling on Zakayev's case would be favourable for Russia.