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Family of late Chechen separatist leader may be extradited to Russia — lawyer

The Dudayev family members, whose request for asylum was earlier turned down in Stockholm, fear that upon their arrival the Swedish authorities will probably try to relocate them to Russia
Royal Courts of Justice in London EPA/WILL OLIVER
Royal Courts of Justice in London
© EPA/WILL OLIVER

LONDON, June 16. /TASS/. London’s High Court has found legal the refusal of the United Kingdom’s authorities to grant a status of a political refugee to Masud Dudayev, the son-in-law of late leader of the unrecognized Chechen republic of Ichkeria, Dzhokhar Dudayev.

The family’s British lawyer, Daniel Furner, told TASS his client Masud Dudayev has already filed an appeal against this court’s ruling which means that he could be taken back to Sweden and then extradited to Russia.

The High Court ruled on June 12 that the Dudayev family could be moved to Sweden on a legal basis, Furner said. The court explained the decision saying it was sure that Sweden would comply with its commitments under the international law.

The court came to a conclusion that the UK Home Office has no need to carry out its own assessment whether the family could be in danger in Russia, the lawyer explained.

The Dudayev family members, whose request for asylum was earlier turned down in Stockholm, fear that upon their arrival the Swedish authorities will probably try to relocate them to Russia.

The lawyer said his clients would seek any opportunity not to come back to Russia.

The family of Masud Dudayev moved to the UK in 2013 following a refusal of Sweden to grant them asylum. They asked for the protection of the British government.

Dzhokhar Dudayev was killed in April 1996 as a result of a missile attack on a plane when he was using a satellite phone.