19:00, 27 October 2009

Criminal case opened against head of HRC "Memorial" Orlov

During the trial on Chechen president's suit against the leader of Human rights center "Memorial" Oleg Orlov (on the right), October 6, 2009, Moscow. Photo by the "Caucasian Knot"

As reported by Andrei Krasnenkov, advocate of Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, a criminal case on slander was initiated against Oleg Orlov, head of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that earlier the Moscow GUVD had refused to open a criminal case against Orlov under the article of slander in connection with his statement that President of Chechnya was responsible for the murder of human rights defender Natalia Estemirova. However, on September 8, Andrei Krasnenkov appealed against the GUVD's refusal, as a result, the Prosecutor's Office cancelled it.

"I have received a statement about initiation of a criminal case against Orlov," said Krasnenkov.

According to his story, the case was opened by the department for inquiry of the Moscow GUVD, as reported by the "Gazeta.Ru". "It was opened under parts 2 and 3, Article 129 of the Criminal Code ("Slander"). The highest punishment assumed under this article is three years of imprisonment," the advocate has added.

Within a month, Oleg Orlov should be attracted as a defendant and interrogated. "The law enforcement bodies in Chechnya will be instructed to interrogate Kadyrov," said Krasnenkov.

According to his version, Mr Orlov may appeal against the decision on opening the criminal case to the Prosecutor's Office, but it is "unpromising." "The criminal case was opened after an additional check after I had addressed my complaint to the Prosecutor's Office, that is, the case had already been under control of the Prosecutor's Office of Moscow," Andrei Krasnenkov has concluded.

The HRC "Memorial" said that they know about initiation of the criminal case against Orlov.

On the other hand, Genry Reznik, advocate of the head of the "Memorial", said that he had no information about the opened criminal case. "I don't know that there's such statement. When I get acquainted with it, I'll express my attitude. They've initiated the case, thus, they did it. Today, the open, tomorrow - the close," the defender told the "Interfax".