Russia is to renew its efforts to extradite a leading Chechen separatist from London following the tragic school siege in Beslan, it was announced today.
Moscow's Foreign Ministry said it would take new steps to seek the extradition of individuals it regards as being linked to terrorism, including Akhmed Zakayev, who was last year granted political asylum in the UK.
Mr Zakayev, an envoy for Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov, has denounced the actions of the school terrorists as "a monstrous act".
His high-profile supporter, the Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave, has said he was actively involved in negotiations to free the hostages before Russian troops went into the school on Friday.
Mr Zakayev successfully fought off a previous extradition attempt in November last year.
A judge at Bow Street Magistrates Court in London ruled then that there was a "substantial risk" that he would be tortured if returned to Russia. The decision to grant him refugee status was announced by the Home Office shortly afterwards.
The former actor, who served as deputy prime minister of Chechnya following elections in 1997, was arrested at Heathrow in December 2002 after arriving from Denmark, where he was also subjected to an extradition attempt.
He was freed on Stg £50,000 bail provided by Ms Redgrave, who later appeared in court to offer her support.
Ms Redgrave earlier this week said that Mr Zakayev was involved in negotiations leading to the release of some children from the school in Beslan.
Ms Redgrave said she believed the three men's mediation efforts could have obtained the release of all the children and teachers had the Russian authorities not sent troops in.
PA