Action in memory of Natalia Estemirova held in Grozny

The commemoration action was held in the Journalists' Mini-Park; the picket was not advertised and brought together, under organizers' estimates, some 100-150 persons.

"The action was not advertised for participants' safety reasons. We deliberately did not apply for a sanction to hold it. We gathered spontaneously by thinking: what can prevent us from just standing, sitting on benches and talking?" Seda Saratova, an employee of the Independent News-Analytical Agency "Objective", told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent and noted that "no law enforcers ever came to the group."

The action was attended by local human rights organizations "Nijso" (Justice), Union of NGOs, Independent News-Analytical Agency "Objective", "Memorial", "Mothers' Alarm", Natalia's friends, colleagues and relatives, and residents of the republic.

The participants of the action have made a decision to address their letter-question to President of Russia Dmitri Medvedev on "what actually happens with this investigation and how efficiently it goes, in view of the fact that it is under the federal and republic's supervision," said Ms Saratova.

Human rights activists from Ingushetia and Dagestan have also come to pay tribute to Estemirova.

Then, the participants of the action went to the Human Rights Centre of the Chechen Republic, where elders prayed, under the Moslem tradition, for Natalia Estemirova; then they all went to the cemetery of Koshkeldy village, where the rights defender is buried.

The participants of the action installed a small obelisk in memory of the journalists who perished in fight for human rights in the mini-park opposite the House of Press.