Interpol goes on keeping track of the movements of Chechen separatist leader Akhmed Zakayev, wanted on terrorist charges by Russia, the head of the organization said on Monday.
Zakayev, who took part in the first Chechen war and allegedly led attacks on federal forces, was placed on an international wanted list by Russia in 2001 but was granted political asylum by Britain in 2003. Russia has repeatedly asked Britain to extradite him, but the request has invariably been denied.
Interpol's position is to find and identify where Zakayev is and to detain him, Ronald K. Noble said at a press-conference in the Russian Urals city of Yekaterinburg.
"Zakayev remains on the Interpol wanted list. Extraditions issues are purely the prerogative of foreign countries' courts," the head of Interpol's office in Russia, Timur Lakhonin, said.
Both Noble and Lakhonin were in Yekaterinburg participating in all-Russian meeting of Interpol regional heads.
RIA News