Russia demands return of Chechen rebel

Vanessa Redgrave puts up bail for actor wanted as 'war criminal' by Moscow

Russia reacted with fury yesterday after a senior Chechen leader, wanted on terrorism charges, was released on bail posted by Vanessa Redgrave, the actress and human rights activist.

Any delays in extraditing Akhmed Zakayev, who is Chechnya's best known actor as well as Culture Minister, could wreck Tony Blair's close relations with the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Zakayev, a spokesman for the fugitive elected Chechen president, Aslan Maskhadov, was freed at Bow Street magistrates' court, in central London, yesterday after his arrest at Heathrow airport on Thursday night. He had flown in from Denmark which had refused to extradite him earlier this week.

Russia described Denmark, which currently holds the EU presidency, as a "stronghold of Chechen terrorists" yesterday, in a sign of worsening relations.

Moscow wants to extradite Mr Zakayev, 43, to face charges of war crimes dating back to 1995. But supporters of Mr Zakayev, including Redgrave, have accused Russia of pursuing a vendetta. She posted £50,000 bail for him.

David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, will be thrust into the diplomatic row if, as expected, Mr Zakayev claims political asylum here. It is already the Government's most serious extradition dilemma since the 1999 Pinochet affair.

Russia's Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, said: "Say another terrorist turned up in London, Bin Laden ... and he were to announce that new terrorist attacks were forthcoming against civilian sites in the United States. How would you deal with him? Would you react in the same way as with Zakayev? Would you talk to him in a police station and let him out again on to the street?"

Russia claims Mr Zakayev, was a senior Chechen commander who has murdered more than 300 soldiers and helped "levy war" against Russia from 1995 to 2000.

But the Danish courts rejected the request for extradition after concluding there was insufficient evidence to support allegations of terrorism.

The Interpol arrest warrant was issued controversially in the aftermath of the Chechen terrorist attack on a Moscow theatre in October in which 119 hostages and 50 gunmen died when Russian forces stormed the building.

Mr Zakayev is considered a moderate among the Chechen rebels who are fighting for independence, and along with Mr Maskhadov, has condemned the theatre attack.

Human rights groups have been sharply critical of Moscow for alleged abuses in Chechnya and have accused them of targeting legitimate politicians as well as suspected terrorists.

A refusal by Britain to send Mr Zakayev back to Russia could also derail the Blair-Putin alliance in the "war on terror" and complicate the coalition building in the stand-off with Saddam Hussein. Tony Blair has put great store in building relations with Mr Putin. The two leaders spoke on the telephone yesterday, but Downing Street would not say if the issue was discussed.

Mr Zakayev was arrested at 8pm in Terminal One as he arrived on a visit to his family who are staying in London with Ms Redgrave. He was released on bail and is due to appear in court again on Wednesday.

The Russian authorities have from 40 to 60 days to provide the court with evidence and supporting documents for the extradition. Mr Blunkett will have to give the go-ahead for extradition to proceed. If Mr Zakayev's lawyers can show that the extradition is politically motivated then the case will be rejected. Russia would also have to pledge not to execute Mr Zakayev – Britain refuses to extradite anyone who faces capital punishment. There is also a lengthy appeals process.

Ms Redgrave said: "I'm his friend, I'm his guarantor. There's a load of people who care about the Chechen situation and care that there should be peace for Chechen people and the same is true for Russian people."