Moscow militia refuses to open case against head of "Memorial"

The Moscow GUVD (Chief City Interior Department) has refused to open a criminal case against Oleg Orlov, head of the Society "Memorial", under the article of "Slander" in the context of his statements that connection with its{his} statement that President of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov is responsible for the murder of human rights defender Natalia Estemirova. This was reported by Andrei Krasnenkov, Kadyrov's advocate.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the opening of a criminal case against Orlov was to be decided back on August 31. However, then, the GUVD press service could not tell any details.

"The investigatory department at the GUVD of Moscow has considered our petition on opening a criminal case against Orlov and rejected it," the "Gazeta.Ru" quotes Mr Krasnenkov today.

Nevertheless, as expected, on September 10, a civil suit will be considered lodged by Kadyrov on defence of his honour and dignity against the head of the HRC "Memorial".