At trial, “Memorial”* reminds of importance of its activities in Northern Caucasus

Today, in a case on the liquidation of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) “Memorial’*, the defence reminded the court that people affected by construction of the Irganai hydroelectric power plant (HPP) and migrants from Chechnya to Ingushetia received support from “Memorial”* in defending their rights in court.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that a new court hearing in the case on the liquidation of the HRC “Memorial”* has taken place today.

Mikhail Biryukov, an advocate of the HRC “Memorial”*, reminded the court about the colossal work being done by the NGO in Northern Caucasus. “For example, let’s mention the case of flooding (about the Irganai HPP, – note of the ‘Caucasian Knot’). Thousands of people lost their homes. To date, the Ministry of Economy has finally developed a roadmap for compensating people who lost their homes during the flooding,” Mikhail Biryukov said.

The advocate also mentioned the case of migrants to Ingushetia from Chechnya. “In a similar way, the migrants to Ingushetia from Chechnya found themselves under the threat of being unable to obtain housing. With our help, the court confirmed (their right to housing),” Mikhail Biryukov emphasized.

“The arguments about the violations committed by us seem baseless, and the liquidation of the human rights centre will violate the foundations of the constitutional order,” the advocate said.

The next court hearing is scheduled by the Moscow City Court for December 29.

* The organization is included by the Russian Ministry of Justice in the register of NPOs 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 23, 2021 at 05:45 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.