Oleg Orlov left presidential Council on human rights in disagreement with Putin’s opinion on Politkovskaya

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Chairman of human rights center ‘Memorial,’ well-known human rights activist Oleg Orlov decided to leave Russian presidential council on development of civil society institutions and human rights; he informed the Council chairwoman Ella Pamphilova.  

“My decision was caused by words of the Russian president, said by him concerning Anna Politkovskaya’s murder. It is quite obvious; my concept of things, which are of benefit for Russia and any power, elected by my country’s people, fundamentally differs from the president’s concept. I may not consider my further Council’s membership to be fruitful,” it is said in his letter, sent to the chairwoman. 

It is worth stressing; on October 10, commenting on Anna Politkovskaya’s death in respond to a Western journalist’s question, Vladimir Putin called her murder awful crime, stating at the same time: “This murder damages current authorities much more, than her articles.” The sentence caused indignation of many human rights activists, who believe that sharp Politkovskaya’s article, devoted to violations of human rights in North Caucasus, were constructive ones.