HRC "Memorial" may wind up in Chechnya

The Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" may close up its branch in the Chechen Republic. This was stated by Chairman of the Board Oleg Orlov in the context of recent statements made by President of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov on the work of human rights defenders.

"We're extremely worried of the escalation of public attacks. We express extreme anxiety and concern about safety of our employees who work in Chechnya," Oleg Orlov told the "Interfax" on July 8.

According to his story, the HRC does not exclude considering the issue of suspending its branch deployed in Chechnya.

Now, this republic operates four offices of the Centre, where 28 persons work. According to Mr Orlov, the safety issues of "Memorial" workers in the Caucasus have been addressed during a year. "They stick to certain rules of behaviour in different situations, but I can't tell about it in detail; and they will observe them," Mr Orlov told the "Kommersant".

He has also noted that he considers going to court against Ramzan Kadyrov. "We think about it, although we perfectly understand that we have poor prospects in Chechen courts," he said. "They will say that Mr Kadyrov had just expressed his estimate. It is remarkable that I'm persecuted exactly for the same."