French President expresses concern over Oyub Titiev's case

After talks with Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg, Emmanuel Macron met Alexander Cherkasov, the head of the Human Right Centre (HRC) "Memorial", who reported to him about the case against Oyub Titiev and attacks on the HRC "Memorial" offices in the regions of Northern Caucasus.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that since January 11, Oyub Titiev, the head of the Grozny's office of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", is in custody on charges of possessing marijuana. He keeps asserting that the drug had been planted on him by a law enforcer.

On May 24, French President Emmanuelle Macron met Vladimir Putin at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

After those negotiations, Emmanuel Macron met Alexander Cherkasov, the chairman of the HRC "Memorial".

"We with Emmanuel Macron were long and thoroughly discussing the Oyub Titiev's case and the 'Network' case. We also spoke about attacks on the HRC 'Memorial' offices in the Caucasus, about NGOs recognized as 'foreign agents', and about systemic impunity of war crimes against humanity. We have discussed all things that are not an internal matter of the state. Meanwhile, a state, which grossly and massively violates human rights within its borders, sooner or later becomes a threat to peace and international security," Alexander Cherkasov has written on his Facebook page today.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his concern over the Oyub Titiev's case, Alexander Cherkasov has noted to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. The French President asked questions concerning the details of the Oyub Titiev's case, the conditions for the HRC "Memorial" activities in the Caucasus and in general the activities of human rights organizations affected by the law on "foreign agents," Alexander Cherkasov added.

Alexander Cherkasov believes that the French leader will try to help rights defenders.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.