Senior Chechen rebel arrested at Heathrow

A senior Chechen envoy wanted by Russia for taking part in an armed rebellion has been arrested as he tried to enter the UK.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Extradition Unit have detained Akhmed Zakaev, 43, at Heathrow Airport on a provisional warrant.

The arrest follows a request from Russia, who want to try him on charges linked to terrorism.

Zakaev, who was taken to a police station in west London and later released on bail, is alleged to have committed several offences, including murder, attempted murder and "levying war" on Russia.

He is due to appear at Bow Street Magistrates Court in central London on December 11.

Zakaev, who is an aide to Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov, was freed on Tuesday after nearly five weeks of detention in the Danish capital Copenhagen.

He had been arrested at Russia's request on October 30 after a meeting of Chechen rebels in Denmark. The Russian government wants to try Zakaev on charges including participating in an armed rebellion, attempts on the lives of law enforcement officials and membership in illegal armed formations.

But the Danish Justice Ministry said evidence presented against Zakaev was insufficient and he was released. That angered the Russian government and Moscow accused Denmark of not doing its part in the war on terror.

A senior adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said: "The General Prosecutor of Russia will seek Zakaev's extradition wherever he is staying."

Russia has tried to present its campaign against separatists in Chechnya as another front on the war against terrorism. While the Kremlin has received some support, European leaders have continued to push Moscow to reach a political settlement.