Oleg Orlov: Kadyrov's advocate protracts consideration of the appeal

Representatives of Ramzan Kadyrov are protracting the process of reviewing the appeal complaint against the acquittal on the case of slander in connection of statements about responsibility of the head of Chechnya for the murder of Natalia Estemirova, said Oleg Orlov, the head of the HRC "Memorial".

Let us remind you that the session of the Court of Appeal on the case "Kadyrov vs. Orlov", which had been scheduled for October 24, was cancelled because Judge Lutov was busy in some other trial. It was supposed to question the Mayor of Grozny at the trial.

"I was surprised when I learnt that the consideration was postponed. I was away on business and especially hurried up to be in time for the session. I was not even surprised but disappointed. I wish it all ends as soon as possible. This criminal case is being considered by the court for more than a year; and the investigation lasted for almost a year before that," Oleg Orlov has commented the situation to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Andrei Krasnenkov, Ramzan Kadyrov's advocate, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that for the upcoming sessions - scheduled for October 26 and 28 - the defence would not summon its witnesses.

"I told our witnesses, including the Mayor of Grozny Muslim Khuchiev, not to come. It makes no sense to worry them: we don't know whether Judge Lutov would retire to the deliberation room in his other trial," said Krasnenkov.

"Now, we'll have to postpone a lot, since in early November Popova, who is representing the prosecution, will have her vacations. Then, Genry Markovich (Reznik, Mr Orlov's advocate, - note of the "Caucasian Knot") will be busy. Perhaps, it will take us some two months more after the New Year," Andrei Krasnenkov gave his forecast.

The representative of the head of Chechnya intends to petition about questioning several more witnesses, "who were present at Kadyrov's conversation with Natalia Estemirova on March 31, 2008."

"I asked my assistants in Chechnya to find 'witnesses of the second attack echelon.' I'll not tell their names; I don't even know how many of them there would be; maybe five, or maybe ten. They are not known to the 'Memorial', but the prosecution will immediately understand that they are very strong witnesses. I'll go to Grozny, talk to people; and most competent of them will be summoned to the trial," said Krasnenkov.

Oleg Orlov has treated the words of the advocate of the head of Chechnya about a possible transfer of the trial to the next year and appearance in the case of the witnesses of Kadyrov's conversation with Estemirova a san attempt to protract the trial. He noted that Kadyrov's party could have presented all the necessary witnesses in the course of the main litigation, not at the appeal instance.

"Knowing the current situation in the Chechen Republic, it's easy to find people there, ready to tell anything to anybody. I'll not be surprised if today a dozen witnesses appear, who had allegedly heard Kadyrov's conversation with Estemirova at their last meeting," said Orlov.