Chechen separatist leader Zakayev 'arrested' in Poland

He had earlier been warned by Polish authorities he faced arrest because of a Russian warrant issued through Interpol.

Polish television said Mr Zakayev was detained on his way to the prosecutor's office in Warsaw.

A close aide had said he would ask prosecutors why he was being sought.

Mr Zakayev, who is considered a terrorist by Russia, was spokesman for Chechen separatist president Aslan Maskhadov, who was killed fighting Russian forces in 2005.

He has been living in the UK where he was given political asylum in 2003.

Before travelling to Warsaw, he said that he had received his Polish visa and meant to attend the event which is expected to attract hundreds of people at Pultusk, around 40 miles (60km) north the capital.

Speaking yesterday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that if the Chechen separatist leader were to be arrested, the courts might not agree to extradite him to Russia.

"The extradition procedure isn't the same as extradition," he told Polish media.