Poland rejects visa to Akhmed Zakaev

As reported by Radoslav Bashuk, advocate of Akhmed Zakaev, former head of the government of the self-proclaimed Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, who is now in London and who was put by Russia on the international search list, Poland refused to grant visa to his client.

According to the advocate, Zakaev has received his foreign passport in the UK and wanted to get a Polish visa in order to attend on January 27 the session of the Court of Appeal in Warsaw on the issue of his extradition. However, Polish authorities refused.

Radoslav Bashuk said that he did not understand the decision of the Polish authorities. "I would like to receive explanations on why the visa was not given to the person who requests it because he wants to take part in his own (judicial) litigation", he said as quoted by the RIA "Novosti" with reference to the PAP Polish Agency.

According to Zakaev himself, the service, which issues visas, gives no explanation as to the reason of rejection, the "Kommersant" writes.

He is sure that the Polish authorities have deliberately created the problem with his visa, in order to close, under this pretext, the issue of his extradition. "For me this rejection has no negative impact, as I can visit Schengen countries under my British documents. I think that Poland has decided to reject Russia's request for extradition so quietly and without any fuss," Zakaev suggests.