Formal extradition proceedings against a senior Chechen envoy accused of being a warlord have begun in London.

Akhmed Zakayev, 43, is accused by Russia of offences including waging war in the breakaway republic of Chechnya and at least 302 murders.

He was remanded on conditional bail by Bow Street Magistrates Court after the actress Vanessa Redgrave guaranteed his �50,000 bail.

Mr Zakayev, who denies all the charges against him, must appear there again on 9 January, 2003.

He later addressed a news conference, calling for a western peacekeeping force to be sent to Chechnya to end the conflict "the Kosovo way".

"If Europe sanctioned my extradition to Russia, if that happens, then Russia will read that as Europe and the rest of the world (being) in agreement with the way Russia has decided to fight against the Chechen nation," he added.

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In court he spoke through a translator, confirming his name and date of birth and that he understood the Russian Government had requested his extradition.

A large number of professionally prominent people believe he is not a terrorist, a criminal, or a runaway Vanessa Redgrave

Mr Zakayev, deputy prime minister in the ousted Chechen government, also said that he understood the nature of the offences of which he is accused.

They are alleged to have taken place between October 1995 and 31 December 2000, during Chechnya's battle for independence.

Those allegedly murdered include two clergymen and at least 300 militia officers. Mr Zakayev also faces three charges of imprisonment, two of attempted murder and one of grievous bodily harm.

'Not a terrorist'

Ms Redgrave, an Oscar-winning British actress, has rejected the charges against Mr Zakayev and insisted he is a highly respected actor in his home state "not a warlord and not a terrorist".

She told the UK's Guardian newspaper: "A large number of professionally prominent people believe he is not a terrorist, a criminal, or a runaway."

The proceedings against Mr Zakayev are expected to be lengthy.

He was arrested at Heathrow airport last week after leaving Denmark following a Russian attempt to extradite him.

Moscow had claimed that Mr Zakayev was involved in October's theatre siege in the Russian capital, but a Danish court ruled that Russia had provided insufficient evidence to back up the charges and released him.

The case strained relations between Moscow and Copenhagen and correspondents say Mr Zakayev's arrival in London could damage Anglo-Russian ties.

'Moderate politician'

Human rights group Amnesty International opposes his extradition, claiming that he could be tortured if he is returned to Russia.

And a Russian campaign group, Soldiers' Mothers of St Petersburg, has written to Home Secretary David Blunkett saying that Mr Zakayev is innocent.

He only took up arms to "defend his people from a drunken, marauding genocidal army", they say.

The group also describe him as the only Chechen figure with whom it is possible for Russia to hold peace talks.