Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov says militant emissary Akhmed Zakayev wants to return from the UK to Chechnya, but he depends on foreign special services and on self-exiled billionaire Boris Berezovsky.
According to Kadyrov, Zakayev, who currently lives in London, had sought a telephone conversation through different channels. The Chechen governments website quoted Kadyrov as saying, During our conversation he kept saying that he was thrilled about changes in Chechnya and tearfully begged to help him return to Russia.
However, Zakayev is competely under the control of special services and cannot travel anywhere without their knowledge, Kadyrov stated. He added, Apparently, he would like to return home, but his masters shouted and he was left speechless."
In addition, the Chechen fugitive depends on Russian tycoon Berezovsky, who has also found shelter in the UK. Kadyrov contended, "This is a widely known fact. Zakayev cannot make a single step without [Berezovskys] knowledge."
Kadyrov called Zakayev a coward and a hypocrite. The Chechen leader said, During our phone conversation he called me brother.
He said he wanted to become my friend and ally. Behind my back, though, he makes completely different statements."
Zakayev and his family live in clover in London, getting good support from his sponsors.
And yet he has the cheek to call on the Chechen people to take up arms and come out against the legitimate power, Kadyrov observed.
Akhmed Zakayev is the Chechen militant envoy and the former self-proclaimed prime minister of Independent Chechnya-Ichkeria. He was granted asylum in Britain in 2003.
In Russia he is accused in a number of serious crimes including terrorism and murder. Moscow has sought his extradition for over a decade now, but the UK has repeatedly refused the request.
|