The Warsaw District Court will start hearings on Thursday on the extradition of the Chechen separatist leader Akhmed Zakayev, wanted on terrorist charges by Russia.
The Polish Prosecutor's Office filed Zakayev's extradition case with the court in November.
Zakayev, who arrived in Poland in September to attend a Chechen congress, was arrested by Polish police at Russia's request, but the Warsaw District Court freed him several hours later.
Polish prosecutors asked the court to extend Zakayev's arrest for 40 days but their petition was rejected because Zakayev has been granted political refugee status in Britain, which is valid on the entire territory of the EU.
After the congress Zakayev returned to London, where he has permanent residence.
Whatever the decision of the Polish court is, Zakayev could be threatened with extradition only if he comes to Poland.
Zakayev, who took part in the first Chechen war and allegedly led attacks on federal forces, was placed on an international wanted list by Russia in 2001 but was granted political asylum by Britain in 2003.
Russia has repeatedly asked Britain to extradite him, but the request has invariably been denied.
WARSAW, December 23 (RIA Novosti)
