Interrogation of "Memorial" head on Kadyrov's claim postponed

The interrogation of Oleg Orlov, head of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", on the criminal case opened under the claim lodged by President of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov has been postponed till November 12 or 13.

As reported by the HRC, the reason for re-appointment was the illness of advocate Genry Reznik.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 27, under the claim of President of Chechnya against Oleg Orlov, a criminal case on slander was initiated under parts 2 and 3 of Articles 129 of the Criminal Code.

Under the version of Andrei Krasnenkov, advocate of the President of Chechnya, human rights advocate Orlov, should his guilt be proved, will be imprisoned.

"Maximum - three years of imprisonment," he said.

Meanwhile, as Radio Liberty reports, Oleg Orlov would not admit his guilt. "I committed no criminal offence," he has stated. "Same as I didn't encroach on anyone's honour and dignity - in my opinion, I proved it rather clearly at the civil process under Ramzan Kadyrov's civil suit."

Valentin Gefter, Director of the Institute of Human Rights, believes that at the criminal trial it will be much more difficult for Ramzan Kadyrov's party to prove Oleg Orlov's guilt.

"I pity a lot the Moscow City Prosecutor's Office, which, I think, for political reasons, and not just for service zeal, has to support the Kadyrov's request on opening a criminal case under this article," said the human rights activist. "I think Kadyrov will lose, if the trial is independent and objective and outgoes from the spirit of this article... And then already Kadyrov will have to prove his non-involvement in this crime and in Estemirova's murder. The outcome is absolutely unpredictable."