Khatazhukov: I have the impression Medvedev has heard of many things for the first time

Singularity and novelty of the meeting of activists of socio-political organizations with President Dmitry Medvedev in the Kremlin was that human right activists of the North Caucasus were communicating directly with the president for the first time, and moreover, "there were no pre-registration for making a speech - it took only to raise your hand." This opinion was expressed by head of Kabardino-Balkaria Human Rights Center Valery Khatazhukov who participated in the meeting.

Speaking about the meeting, Khatazhukov also noted that "Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev is surely very informed, but I have the impression that of some things, nuances, details he had heard during this meeting with us for the first time."

According to Khatazhukova, Ella Pamfilova has made a detailed and objective analysis of the situation in the North Caucasus and thereby facilitated their task for all speakers.

Speakers were given a 3-minite time limit. "I have presented my view of the events on Oct. 13, 2005 in Kabardino-Balkaria, largely provoked by unwarranted repression on the part of security forces, to my reckoning. These measures pushed the believing young people to the ranks of radicals, which one or two years earlier had no influence at all. Although recently the situation has changed, there is no massive repression anymore, we have been able to influence the situation, and still, in 2009 the five people were missing in Kabardino-Balkaria".

"I stressed that for those present at the meeting Constitution and laws are of prime importance. Because other means are simply ineffective and the worldwide practice has proven it", he added.

Human rights activist said the whole meeting was permeated with the idea of open discussion of all issues that arose and President endorsed the idea.