Human rights activist Oleg Orlov is laid charge

Today, charges have been laid to Oleg Orlov, Board chairman of the human rights center "Memorial", on slandering Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov whom the human rights activist considers responsible for the murder in Grozny of Natalia Estemirova, employee of "Memorial", reports the HRC "Memorial".

Orlov is accused under art. 129, 2 and 3, ("slander") of the RF CC. The human rights activist and his lawyer Henri Reznik do not agree with the prosecution and insist that the head of the HRC "Memorial" has not committed any act that is punishable under criminal law. On July 5, Orlov stated to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that he intended to vindicate his right.

Today, Orlov has also been interrogated by Yulia Khatchenkova, investigator of the Investigation section of Investigation department under the internal affairs agency of Moscow's Central administrative district, as defendant in a criminal case. The interrogation lasted for more than 2.5 hours.

The case investigation has been completed. Oleg Orlov and his lawyer plan to get acquainted with the case file in July.

Today, Alvi Karimov, press secretary of the Chechen president, stated that Kadyrov did not insist on criminal prosecution of Oleg Orlov. However, Andrei Krasnenkov, Chechen president's lawyer, had stated earlier that Kadyrov did not agree to amicable settlement.