MOSCOW. Oct 30 (Interfax-AVN) - By extraditing Akhmed Zakayev to Russia, Denmark will demonstrate its resolve to fight international terrorism, a Russian Security Council official argues.
"Russians know full well who Zakayev is. Zakayev will have the fairest trial possible in Russia where he has committed crimes. He must answer for what he has done," council Deputy Secretary Valentin Sobolev told Interfax on Wednesday. "The extradition of Zakayev to Moscow will confirm Copenhagen's resolve to fight international terrorism. Zakayev must be regarded as a criminal, an accomplice of international terrorism which threatens other countries, not Russia alone," he said.
By detaining Zakayev, Denmark has shown that it is guided by principles, Sobolev said. "The detention and arrest of a chieftain of Chechen rebels who has been on the international wanted list for over a year makes us trust the Danish and European authorities," he said.
Until recently quite a few Europeans have been abiding by double standards in fighting terrorism because they regarded Chechen rebels as freedom fighters, Sobolev said. "The latest terrorist attacks, in particular in Moscow, have convinced everybody who had any doubts that one should call a spade a spade," he said.
Like numerous other Chechen field commanders, Zakayev faces charges of armed rebellion, organizing illegal militias and attempts on the lives of law enforcement officers, Sobolev said.
"Zakayev is a gangster. Just recall his recent statement that there are quite a few facilities in Russia, in particular nuclear power plants, that can come under terrorist attack," he said.
Sobolev said that Zakayev had fought federal units as commander of the so-called "southwestern resistance zone" in 1994- 1996 and of an Islamic battalion in 1996-1999.
Speaking about remarks made by a Danish official that Zakayev may not be extradited to Russia where capital punishment has not been abolished, he said: "A moratorium on the death penalty has been in force in Russia for years and we are faithfully abiding by our commitments."
Moscow wants more international cooperation in fighting terrorism, Sobolev said. "The evil that has spread throughout the world can be won only by joining our efforts. No country, however strong economically and militarily, can feel safe from terrorist attacks. The gangsters will be happy if the international community does not form a united front against terrorism and countries abide by double standards," he said.
The Danish police arrested Zakayev Wednesday morning. The Russian Prosecutor General's Office has sent to the Danish Justice Ministry an official request to extradite him and provided additional guarantees that the man will not be executed.