Human rights defenders name political motives for liquidation of HRC "Memorial"*

The decision to liquidate the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial"* is a political repression, human rights defenders have stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Moscow City Court (MCC) ruled to liquidate the HRC "Memorial"*. The prosecutor accused the HRC of participating in protest movements, and treated the lists of political prisoners announced by the HRC as disinformation of citizens.

Earlier, on December 28, the Russian Supreme Court (SC) ruled to liquidate the "International Memorial" and its regional branches.

Oleg Orlov, a board member of the HRC "Memorial"*, has called the MCC's ruling predictable.

"The advocates have proved that the trial is a political repression, while the issue of labelling [materials] is just a pretext for closing the HRC," Mr Orlov has stated.

The decision to liquidate the HRC "Memorial"* is a political one, Alexander Cherkasov, the chairman of the board of the HRC "Memorial"*, agrees with that.

The HRC will not stop working even if it is closed – it will continue functioning in one form or another, Mikhail Biryukov, one of the advocates, has noted.

Ilya Novikov, another advocate of the HRC "Memorial"*, has noted that he "harboured no illusions" after the SC's decision to liquidate the "International Memorial". According to his version, the time for making the decision was chosen not by chance – on the eve of the New Year, people are busy with their everyday problems and pay little attention to ongoing trials.