March/April 2004
People

Expert witness role for University lecturer

A senior University lecturer was at the centre of one of the highest profile extradition trials in recent years as one of only two Western expert witnesses called to give evidence.

Head of the Department of Languages and European Studies, and Senior Lecturer in Russian Studies, Dr John Russell gave evidence on the extradition hearing of Chechen envoy Akhmed Zakayev.

Lawyers for Mr Zakayev, the former actor, soldier and now diplomat, successfully claimed he could face an unfair trial and be tortured if he was returned to Russia.

John is one of only a handful of recognised experts in the UK on the Russo-Chechen wars and Chechnya.

"The Russians were trying to claim that Zakayev was the Chechen Osama Bin Laden but, in my evidence, I explained he was much more of a resistance figure," said John.

John was cross-examined after former BBC journalist Tom de Waal. The pair agreed that claims about Zakayev's past were untrue and that he would face torture if he was sent to Russia.

Mr Zakayev was accused of a range of crimes including kidnap, taking part in the murder of Russian soldiers and levying war.

The court's findings were welcomed by Amnesty International and also by actress and friend of Zakayev, Vanessa Redgrave.

16 April 2004

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