Putin comments on "Memorial"* liquidation case

Vladimir Putin said that he had requested additional information on the liquidation case of the "Memorial"*, and expressed hope for the objectivity of the trial, but has reproached the human rights organization for "demonstrative violations."

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 8, the Moscow Prosecutor's Office filed a lawsuit with the Moscow City Court to liquidate the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial"*, claiming that the Centre had justified extremism and terrorism. On December 7, Dunja Mijatović, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, called on the Russia's General Public Prosecutor to prevent the liquidation of the above human rights organizations.

In the course of the sitting of the Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights, Vladimir Putin noted that he knew the situation around the "Memorial"*. "I've asked for additional information about what is happening there," said President Putin.

"Regarding the trial ... It is not over. We need to see how this consideration goes on. I hope it will be objective," the president has stated, adding that he had always treated the "Memorial"* as the most respected organization. However, he has noted that the "Memorial"* had repeatedly demonstratively committed violations and came out in defence of the organizations that were recognized as terrorist ones in Russia.

*The organization has been put by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on the register of non-commercial organizations (NCOs) performing the functions of a foreign agent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 10, 2021 at 08:05 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.