Russia asks France about Chechen leader

Published: June 27, 2007 at 5:03 PM

MOSCOW, June 27 (UPI) -- Russia has asked French authorities for information about a wanted Chechen separatist who is reportedly attending a high-level diplomatic conference.

The RIA Novosti news agency said Wednesday that Akhmed Zakayev was believed seen in Strasbourg talking to reporters at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe session.

The former actor was a negotiator for the Chechen faction during its bloody war to break away from Russia. He has been accused of having a hand in the sensational 2001 attack at a Moscow theater in which 800 people were taken hostage.

Zakayev, who denies the allegations and lives in exile in London, is wanted on terrorism charges in Russia and is also on Interpol's wanted list, the report said.

There was no indication Russia had asked the French to arrest Zakayev.

Topics: Akhmed Zakayev

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Russia asks France about Chechen leader