04:56, 25 May 2014

Rights defenders criticize Court's decision to dismiss complaint filed by HRC "Memorial"

At the preliminary court hearing on the complaint filed by the Human Rights Centre "Memorial" and the International Society "Memorial" against the Prosecutor's Office inspections, Moscow City Court, May 7, 2013. From left to right: Chairman of the Board of the HRC "Memorial" Alexander Cherkasov, advocate of the HRC "Memorial" Furkat Tishaev, member of the Board of the International Society "Memorial" Jan Rachinsky. Photo by press-service of the HRC "Memorial", http://www.memo.ru

The decision of the Zamoskvorechye District Court of Moscow to dismiss the complaint filed by the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" against the request of the Prosecutor's Office to get registered as a foreign agent is unjustified, but still expected. This opinion was expressed by human rights defenders. Lawyers of the HRC "Memorial" intend to challenge the decision of the Court.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that after an unscheduled inspection in 2013, the Moscow Prosecutor's Office has demanded that the HRC "Memorial" should register as a foreign agent. The request has been challenged at the Zamoskvorechye District Court of Moscow. On May 23, 2014, the Court pronounced the decision to oblige the HRC "Memorial" to get registered as a foreign agent.

"We treat this decision as absolutely unjustified, and, I think, we have proved that during the trial," Oleg Orlov, a member of the Board of the HRC "Memorial", has commented on the Court's decision when talking to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Oleg Orlov believes the Court's decision has been predetermined because of "a certain political order." "We will fight to the end. Under no circumstances, we are going to file an application to get registered as a foreign agent," the human rights defender has stated.

Author: Elena Khrustaleva

Source: CK correspondent