20:00, 16 July 2009

About 100 persons came to Natalia Estemirova's farewell ceremony in central Grozny

Today, a farewell ceremony with human rights defender Natalia Estemirova took place in the centre of Grozny, which brought together about 100 persons - journalists, human rights activists and people whom she helped.

The "Interfax" reports that Estemirova's body was brought from Nazran morgue to Journalists' Mini-Park in the centre of Grozny. The Park is located opposite the "Memorial" office, where Natalia worked.

Nobody delivered speeches at the ceremony; all the people were in tears. The monument to perished journalists was decorated by Estemirova's photo and a poster with big black letters: "Who's next?"

After the ceremony, the funeral procession, which accompanied the catafalque, slowly moved from the Park along the central street of Grozny - Putin Avenue - to the Cathedral Mosque "Heart of Chechnya", the "NEWSru.com" reports.

From Grozny, Estemirova's body was brought to Ichkhoy-Yurt; after ablution according to Islamic customs, she will be buried in her native village of Koshgeldy.