The ECHR refused to review the case of the murder of human rights activist Natalya Estemirova

On January 17, the European Court of Human Rights refused to transfer the case of the murder of human rights activist Natalya Estemirova for additional consideration to the Grand Chamber of the Court. This is stated on the website of the ECtHR.

Svetlana, the sister of the murdered woman, asked to send the case for additional consideration. On August 31, 2021, the ECtHR awarded her 20,000 euros in compensation for an ineffective investigation of the case, but found no evidence of the involvement of the Russian authorities in the murder of the human rights activist.

The ruling , published by the ECtHR, stated that Russia did not provide a complete copy of the materials of the criminal case, which prevented the court from conducting a quality investigation. For example, to make sure that the Russian investigation was thorough enough. At the same time, the court notes, Estemirova's sister could not prove that it was the authorities who abducted the human rights activist.

Chechen human rights activist Natalya Estemirova was killed on July 15, 2009. The perpetrators have not been found and punished so far. Russian authorities claimed that Estemirova was killed by Chechen militant Alkhazur Bashaev, who, according to the official version, was himself killed during a special operation on November 13, 2009. Estemirova's colleagues, employees of the Memorial Human Rights Center, consider the authorities' version of the murder untenable.

Estemirova investigated the deaths and abductions of civilians during and after the Second Chechen War. In connection with her activities, Estemirova repeatedly received threats, including personally from the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov.

In connection with the refusal of the court to conduct additional consideration, the decision of the ECtHR came into force.