Activities in Chechnya
Memorial also had an office in Chechnya, to monitor human rights issues there. It was frequently raided by the authorities.
A Memorial activist Natalia Estemirova, who investigated murders and abductions in Chechnya, was herself abducted in Grozny and shot to death in Ingushetia on 15 July 2009. It is suggested her death is connected to her investigations of government-backed militias in the country. Memorial's chairman Oleg Orlov accused Ramzan Kadyrov of being behind the murder, and claimed that Kadyrov had openly threatened her. Kadyrov denied his involvement and sued Memorial for defamation, targeting Orlov personally with his complaint.
On 18 July 2009, Memorial suspended its activities in the republic, stating "We cannot risk the lives of our colleagues even if they are ready to carry on their work".
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“When mundane, lowly activities are at stake, too much insight is detrimental—far-sightedness errs in immediate concerns.”
—Franz Grillparzer (1791–1872)