Greek Police identifies Chechen rebel wanted for police murders in Russia
The Greek Police (ELAS) said on Tuesday that a man who was arrested along with another 45 migrants trying to enter the country illegally from Turkey is wanted in Russia in connection with the murder of five police officers.
The 34-year-old man, identified as a Russian national of Chechen origin, was arrested off the coast of the eastern Aegean island of Chios on October 5 while trying to enter the country illegally. He had initially given Greek authorities false details regarding his identity, though a subsequent investigation revealed that he is wanted by Russia on an international arrest warrant.
He stands accused of being part of a militant group that orchestrated an attack on a police convoy in the Russian republic Chechnya in August 2009, leading to the death of five officers.
The suspect is said to have lived in Turkey since 2012.
Procedures for his extradition to Russia are under way.
