LONDON, 7 December 2002 — Top Chechen envoy Akhmed Zakayev, wanted by Russia for alleged terror crimes, is to face an extradition hearing at a London court next week after flying to Britain from Denmark. Police arrested Zakayev on Thursday as he arrived at London’s Heathrow airport, acting on a request from Russia which wants to try him on charges of terrorism. He was later released on bail after questioning, London’s Scotland Yard police said yesterday. Denmark held Zakayev, a top aide to fugitive Chechen leader Aslan Maskhadov, for 34 days before releasing him as it considered evidence from Moscow insufficient for extradition. Zakayev has won high-profile support from British actress and human rights activist Vanessa Redgrave. She paid his bail so he could be freed prior to the hearing. “I’m Akhmed’s host. I’m his friend, I’m his guarantor,” the Oscar-winning Redgrave told local media. “I think there’s a load of people who care about the Chechen situation and care that there should be peace for the Chechen people at last, and their rights, and think that’s very important for the Russian people as well.” (R)