The ECHR refused to review the case of beating of a human rights activist and journalists in Ingushetia

The European Court of Human Rights refused to send for review the case of the beating of Oleg Orlov, a member of the Council of the Human Rights Center "Memorial" and three REN-TV journalists in Ingushetia. This was reported on September 20 by "Caucasian Knot".

On March 14, the ECtHR ruled that the Russian authorities were responsible for the abduction and ill-treatment of human rights activist Oleg Orlov and journalists Artyom Vysotsky, Stanislav Goryachikh and Karen Sakhinov. Then the Russian Ministry of Justice announced that they would challenge this decision in the Grand Chamber, but the ECHR refused to submit the case for consideration.

In addition to beatings, the Russian authorities are responsible for the unjustified seizure of property and for the ineffective investigation of these crimes. The court ordered Russia to pay compensation of 19.5 thousand euros to each victim.

In 2007, Oleg Orlov and three journalists from the REN-TV channel came to the city of Nazran to cover a protest rally related to the death of six-year-old Rakhim Amriev during a special operation in Ingushetia. On the night of November 23, journalists and a human rights activist were abducted from the hotel by armed men. They put bags over their heads, took them to a deserted area, threatened to shoot them and severely beat them. All documents, money, personal belongings, computers and television equipment were taken from the abductees.

The Russian authorities did not deny the version of events presented by the victims, but denied the involvement of state agents in the abduction. However, from the very beginning of the investigation, the investigation had information about the involvement of law enforcement agencies in the crime. No steps were taken to identify those responsible for the crime.

The ECHR recognized the investigation as of poor quality, so the court independently studied the case materials, the testimony of witnesses and victims. The ECHR specifically noted that security was removed from the hotel that day, and the staff said that the abductors were law enforcement officers.

more about the kidnapping in 2007 You can read on the Memorial website.