"Memorial": closure of "Peacekeeping Centre" in Chechnya is politically motivated

In the opinion of Oleg Orlov, Chairman of the Board of the HRC "Memorial", the initiative of the prosecutor's office to liquidate the branch of the British "Peacekeeping and Social Development Centre" in Chechnya is "politically-coloured". This Mr Orlov's viewpoint was expressed yesterday, on January 15, when he spoke to the press conference held at the Independent Press Centre in Moscow.

"It's quite obvious why they are closed: politics games around strained relations between Russia and Britain. It's known why: non-extradition of Zakaev, murder of Litvinenko and so on. Now the authorities take revenge on humanitarian organizations, which bring benefits to citizens of Russia. It's terrible," Oleg Orlov said.

According to the well-known human rights activist, his colleagues in Northern Caucasus have cooperated with the "Peacekeeping and Social Development Centre". "This organization was active and successful in the area of children-war victims' rehabilitation. It was engaged exclusively in humanitarian and educational projects," Mr Orlov has explained the essence of the activities of now disgraced Centre in Chechnya and Ingushetia.