18 July 2009, 20:00
"Memorial" leader Oleg Orlov is ready to face Ramzan Kadyrov in court
Oleg Orlov, Chair of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", is ready to litigate with President of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov, who is now preparing, via his advocate, his claims to the court and Moscow GUVD (City Interior Department) in the context of Mr Orlov's statements about Mr Kadyrov's responsibility for the murder of human rights defender Natalia Estemirova.
Oleg Orlov finds it "normal that Ramzan Kadyrov has decided to resolve the conflict within the bounds of the law," the "Echo Moskvy" Radio reports. "Being a citizen of the Russian Federation, why can't I be ready (to litigation)? One should respond for his words; and I'll respond for mine in court," he said.
We remind you that on July 17 President Kadyrov treated, in a telephone conversation with Oleg Orlov, the latter's statement about President's guilt of Estemirova's murder as unethical. Mr Orlov answered that he did not accuse Kadyrov of the crime, but meant that as the President, he should respond for everything that happens in his republic.
Ramzan Kadyrov agreed that he should respond for the situation in the region; however, he noted that it was illogical to equate the notions of responsibility of the head of the region and "responsibility for the murder."
