Human rights defenders call to support Oleg Orlov*

Colleagues of human rights defender Oleg Orlov* called on to write letters to him to a SIZO (pre-trial prison) on the occasion of his birthday, but noted that uncoordinated actions of solidarity and excessive creativity could harm the convict.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that a medical officer prescribed treatment for Oleg Orlov*, the co-chair of the “Memorial” Centre for Human Rights Defence**. However, the judge, despite the above prescription, demanded to complete the examination of the case materials by April 5, the convict’s colleagues reported.

The judge’s demand means that Oleg Orlov*’s daily trips to court will continue, an activist from the “Memorial” Centre for Human Rights Defence** notes. He has also added that no actions in support of Oleg Orlov* are centrally organized. “On April 4, on the Oleg Orlov*’s birthday, the ‘Memorial of Poland’ is holding a rally in support of the Russian human rights defender in Warsaw,” the activist added.

The “Memorial” Centre for Human Rights Defence** suggests writing to Oleg Orlov* to the Moscow SIZO, congratulating him on his birthday and, since he is an artist, attaching a painting by favourite artist to the letter and sharing thoughts about it.

Human rights defender Alexander Verkhovsky, the head of the “SOVA Research Centre”*, found it difficult to say what kind of solidarity actions might be appropriate in the situation with Oleg Orlov*. “I believe interested people are consulting with the advocates of Oleg Orlov* so that they can practically help with support and not harm. Unfortunately, in the current situation, the judge is free to do what he wants,” human rights defender Alexander Verkhovsky noted.

Tanya Lokshina, the director of Human Rights Watch for Europe and Central Asia, declares that her organization, like a number of other reputable human rights organizations, tries to permanently express its support for Oleg Orlov*.

Let us remind you that on February 27, a court in Moscow found Oleg Orlov* guilty in a criminal case on discrediting the Russian Armed Forces and sentenced him to 2.5 years of imprisonment.

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

**As reported on the website of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the reason for including on March 1, 2024, the unregistered “Memorial” Centre for Human Rights Defence (CHRD) into the register of foreign agents was the spread of "inaccurate information aimed at creating a negative image of the Russian Federation, as well as the Russian Armed Forces."