Russia protests Chechen's visit to Denmark

• Tweet

MOSCOW, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Russia has urged Denmark to prevent a planned visit by a Chechen envoy, Interfax news agency reported Friday.

Danish Ambassador to Moscow Lars Vissing was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry and told that Russia opposed a planned visit by Chechen separatist envoy Akhmed Zakayev to Denmark next spring, Interfax said.

"Russia wants the Danish authorities to do everything in their power to prevent Zakayev from entering Denmark or to detain the terrorist accomplice on a request from Interpol in the event of his entry into Denmark for his further extradition to Russia and the launching of an investigation against him," the Russian Foreign Miistry said in a statement quoted by Interfax.

Zakayev's visit to Denmark "would mean that Denmark is openly ignoring Russia's statement dealing with his (Zakayev's) trip to Copenhagen (sent) in early December 2004. This situation cannot help but have a negative impact on relations between our countries," the statement said.