Actions in memory of Markelov and Baburova to be held in Moscow and Paris on February 1

On February 1, at 3:00 p.m., near the monument to Griboedov ("Chistye Prudy" Metro Station) and in Paris in the square at the Bobourg Centre rallies will be held in memory of Stanislav Markelov and Anastasiya Baburova.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Mr Markelov was shot dead, when he was on his way from the press conference in the Independent Press Centre located in the Prechistenka Street on early release of former colonel Yuri Budanov. Anastasiya Baburova, a student at the Department of Journalism of the Moscow State University and journalist of the "Novaya Gazeta" who accompanied him received a gunshot wound and later died in hospital.

"Stanislav Markelov and Anastasiya Baburova weren't just a lawyer and a journalist. They interfered with the acutest problems of our society. Stanislav was a human rights activist, participant of ecological protest camps and social forums, author of articles about nationalist movements, founder of the Institute of Rule of Law, defender in the cases of anti-fascists, ousted hostel tenants, kidnapped Chechens and many others. Anastasiya was an anarchist, member of the editorial staff of the 'Avtonom' magazine and Movement 'Autonomous Action'; she took part in forums, protest actions and ecological camps. Journalism was her way to tell people about most important things and help them in changing the world for the best," organizers of the protest rally assert.

The event in Paris has the motto: "Political murders in Russia: enough!!!" It will be organized by French left-wingers and social activists.

Let us note also that Stanislav Markelov was posthumously decorated with a medal "For Defence of Human Rights". The respective order was signed on Monday, January 26, by Nurdi Nukhazhiev, Ombudsman in the Chechen Republic. The decoration was initiated by the Board of NGOs under the Ombudsman, as the RIA "Novosti" Agency reports.