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Chechen rebel Zakayev appears in London court
LONDON, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Chechen rebel envoy Akhmed Zakayev appeared in a London court on Wednesday amid a row between Russia, Britain and Denmark over Moscow's demands for his extradition to face terror charges.
At a brief extradition hearing, a British magistrate extended Zakayev's bail, ordered him to appear again on January 9 and said his address in London should be kept secret for his own safety.
Zakayev has been at the centre of a diplomatic row since last week when the Danes, who had arrested him more than a month earlier, released him, saying Moscow's evidence for extradition was insufficient.
Zakayev flew to London where authorities arrested him but then released him on bail, angering Russia further.
On Wednesday, his defence lawyer Gareth Peirce (Eds: female) described Russia's accusations against him as "assertions of a wholly false nature."
She said his personal safety would be at risk if he were returned to Russia, arguing that "his position as a leader of the Chechen government in exile is one that is particularly exposed."
Russia, which is waging a lengthy war against separatists in the southern breakaway province, wants Zakayev to stand trial for allegedly waging war against Russia from 1996 to 2000 and in connection with a series of abductions and murders.
Zakayev, a top aide to fugitive Chechen leader Aslan Maskhadov, has said the only way to prevent militant attacks in Russia is to hold political talks.
He has won high-profile support from British actress and human rights activist Vanessa Redgrave, who stood surety for his bail following his arrival in Britain.
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