RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – July 20, 2009
To see the details emerging of Natalya Estemirova’s last meeting with Ramzan Kadyrov, see the Moscow Times. A spokesman for Kadyrov has said that he will file a lawsuit against Oleg Orlov, head of Memorial, for saying he was responsible for the murder. Orlov has asserted that he will not retract his remarks. The Telegraph examines the work of female activists in Russia. One of the activists interviewed, Tanya Lokshina, has a written an article in the Washington Post remembering her colleague. The New York Times also features a video report. Memorial has halted operations in the North Caucasus as the situation has become ‘life threatening‘. ‘For the country, these crimes are a disgrace; for the leadership in the Kremlin, they are an indictment‘ the Washington Post adds to the swell of condemnation. The FT suggests President Medvedev could demonstrate his willingness to adhere to rule of law ‘by appointing a prosecutor to investigate fully Memorial’s claim’.