16 July 2018, 11:20
Rights defenders mark anniversary of Natalia Estemirova's murder
On the ninth anniversary of the death of Natalia Estemirova, a member of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" in Chechnya, rights defenders have declared their willingness to continue fighting to release their colleague Oyub Titiev, accused of drug possession.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 15, 2009, Natalia Estemirova, a member of the HRC) "Memorial" in Chechnya, was kidnapped in Grozny, taken to Ingushetia, and killed.
"Our friend and colleague Natasha Estemirova was killed nine years ago. Today, instead of telling a story about Natasha, a real hero, the Grozny TV Channel will show a new film to expose the 'Memorial' and Oyub. And we will commemorate Natasha today and visit her grave at the cemetery (in the village of Koshkeldy, – note of the 'Caucasian Knot')," members of the HRC "Memorial" wrote in a message published in Telegram.
The rights defenders have also said they will fight for the Oyub Titiev's fate. "And we will remember: Natasha was killed, but Oyub is alive. And we will fight for him with all our might, in memory of Natasha and for the better future for Chechnya and Russia," the members of the HRC "Memorial" declare in their statement.
Oyub Titiev, the head of the Grozny office of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", was arrested on January 11 on charges of possessing marijuana. He pleaded not guilty and stated that the drugs had been planted to him.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 15, 2018 at 08:38 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
