Witnesses in Orlov's case speak about importance of his work

The witnesses interrogated at trial have recalled Oleg Orlov's human rights and legislative work, as well as the fact that in Budyonnovsk he voluntarily offered himself as a hostage to Basaev in order to free the prisoners.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that a court in Moscow has refused to satisfy the defence's request to interrogate the investigator who was in charge of Oleg Orlov's case on discrediting the Russian Army. On July 21, Oleg Orlov's defence doubted the quality of the expertise conducted by Alexander Tarasov, noting the expert's many errors and slurred arguments. The experts invited by the defence have stated in court that the expertise had been conducted at a low scientific level.

Vladimir Lukin, a former Russian Ombudsperson, has stated in court that he had worked closely with Orlov in 2004-2014. Orlov was a member of the Ombudsperson's expert council. "I can give many examples of how his activities were beneficial," Mr Lukin is quoted as saying in the Memorial's Telegram channel.

Vladimir Lukin has recalled that during the terror act in Budyonnovsk, Orlov was among those who volunteered as hostages in exchange of civilian prisoners.

Oksana, a former member of the HRC "Memorial"**, has known Oleg Orlov for a long time. "There are Oleg's achievements as a human rights defender, and there are his personal qualities, which are also worthy of all respect. For example, his courage, his consistency," she has stated.

Svetlana Gannushkina*, a rights defender, has noted that the prosecutor, who runs the Orlov's case on discrediting the Russian Army, has treated the human rights activities as anti-state ones.

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.

**On December 29, 2021, by the decision of the Moscow City Court, the Russian legal entities of the "International Memorial" and the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" were liquidated. Activists of the organizations have reported that both organizations will continue their work without forming legal entities.