Russian police refuse to launch criminal investigation against Head of Memorial for “slander”

According to the lawyer representing Chechnya’s President Ramsan Kadyrov, the Moscow Central Police Department’s investigation section has refused to initiate a criminal investigation against the Head of the Memorial Board Oleg Orlov. As reported here, on the event that Natalya Estemirova was murdered (15 July), Oleg Orlov placed responsibility for Natalya’s abduction and murder.

The Memorial statement reads:

“I know, I am certain who is guilty of the murder of Natasha Estemirova. We all know this man. His name is Ramsan Kadyrov, President of the Chechen Republic. Ramzan had already threatened Natasha, insulted her, and considered her his personal enemy. We don’t know if he himself gave the order, or whether that was done by his closest people so as to please the leadership. And it would seem to suit President Medvedev to have a murderer as head of one of the republics of the Russian Federation”.

The lawyer did not give any indication of the reason for not initiating a criminal investigation. According to the Kasparov website, on 28 August Oleg Orlov was at the police department and had to explain on what grounds he had accused Kadyrov over Natalya Estemirova’s murder.

The same lawyer has also filed, on behalf of Kadyrov, a civil suit against Orlov demanding 10 million roubles in moral damages.

Oleg Orlov expressed satisfaction with the decision of the police department and the fact that they had been guided solely by the norms of law, and not political or other motives.

From information at www.hro.org