MOSCOW. Sept 8 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia will use every opportunity to achieve the extradition of Chechen emissaries Akhmed Zakayev and Ilyas Akhmadov, Special Representative for International Cooperation in the Fight against Terrorism and Organized Crime Anatoly Safonov told a Thursday press conference at the Interfax main office.
"Naturally, we will use every political and judicial chance available to us. We are already using them," he said.
Russia hopes to solve the problem within the framework of international anti-terrorist cooperation. "There is are principles for extradition and bringing people to justice," Safonov said.
Russia regrets interviews held with Chechen ringleader Shamil Basayev, shown on British and American television, he said.
"We cannot catch Basayev, the same as the international community cannot catch many odious men," he said.
"Basayev spends most of time in Chechnya," and the secret services are watching him, as he is on the international list of terrorists, Safonov said.
"The end of Basayev is inevitable, but the only question is when," he said. "Believe me, every chance is being used to eliminate this threat [Basayev]."
There are people wishing to take advantage of the conflict in Chechnya, Safonov said. "There are individuals and groups of people who gain dividends from every military conflict," he said.
"For instance, there are abductions in the North Caucasus. It is not a secret for me why, some individuals, including well-known people currently living in London, posed each time for cameramen before paying a million dollars or more for the release of hostages. Another four abductions happened later and the same individuals were shown on our television screens again," Safonov said.