Estemirova's colleagues in Chechnya doubt that her real killer will ever be detained

People in Chechnya are sceptical to the news that the murderer of the well-known human rights defender Natalia Estemirova, kidnapped and assassinated on July 15, 2009, is established. Her colleagues believe that inspectors know already for a long time the executors and organizers of this crime; however, they doubt that the names will ever be disclosed.

A representative of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" in Chechnya told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the Centre has no information that Estemirova's gunman was really established. "As far as I know, our leaders contacted yesterday the bodies of inquiry, and this information was not confirmed there. Several months ago it was announced that the inspectors dealing with Natasha's murder were close to solving the crime, but for some unknown reason no results have been presented so far," the human rights activist said.

Oleg Orlov, head of the HRC "Memorial", has also refuted, in his interview to the "Echo Moskvy" Radio, the statements that Estemirova's murderer was established. He expressed fear that "political reasons may prevent the investigatory group from investigating this murder to the end."

Some colleagues of the perished human rights defender are even more categorical in their judgements. "Everybody in Chechnya knows already for a long time who, why and under whose order could kidnap and kill Natasha. Back last autumn, according to some of my colleagues, inspectors found the car, in which Estemirova was taken away. This car was used by employees of one of local power agencies, already, however, with other license plates," the head of one of local NGOs, who knew Estemirova very well, said in this occasion.

"It's also quite easy to find the customers and organizers. Oleg Orlov is absolutely right saying that to investigation of this murder is hampered by political reasons," said the source.

He has not excluded also that someone of earlier perished power agents could be declared to be Natalia Estemirova's killer. "It's the most probable version of events for the authorities, allowing them to kill two birds with one stone." Firstly, the crime could be declared solved, and, secondly, real organizers of the murder could be withdrawn from punishment," he is convinced.