Convicted human rights defender Oleg Orlov was refused to be brought to court

The Zamoskvoretskyi court of Moscow refused the convicted human rights defender Oleg Orlov at his request to personally participate in the hearing on his case. Orlov and his representatives asked to take him to court, since he will not be able to fully use video communication due to his hearing impairment. Nevertheless, judge Maria Patyk refused the petition. Orlov was also not connected to the meeting via video link. The judge moved it to April 25.

Orlov is trying to challenge in court the status of a so-called foreign agent, which the Ministry of Justice of Russia assigned to him in February. The first meeting of his mourning was supposed to take place on Wednesday, April 10.

Earlier, Orlov’s lawyers and relatives reported that the 71-year-old human rights defender’s health had deteriorated in the pre-trial detention center. He has a bad cold, and because of complications he loses his hearing. In addition, Orlov is denied rest and hot food, as well as denied confidential communication with a lawyer. The defense sent a complaint to the Moscow City Court and the Golovinsky Court of Moscow about the inhumane treatment of their client.

• Oleg Orlov is co-chairman of the “Memorial” human rights center, one of the most famous Russian human rights defenders. On February 27, he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on the charge of “repeated discrediting of the Russian army” because of his anti-war statements. Orlov pleaded not guilty. He appealed the sentence and until the appellate decision is made, he continues to be in the pre-trial detention center.