The investigation of the case against the co-chairman of “Memorial” Orlov has been completed

The investigation of the criminal case on the charge of repeated discrediting of the army against the co-chairman of the “Memorial” Center for the Protection of Human Rights Oleg Orlov has been completed. As reported on the “Memorial” website, the investigator handed Orlov an indictment on Saturday. The case is transferred to the Koptevsky District Court of Moscow for consideration.

Orlov is under a restraining order, he faces up to three years in prison. In “Memorial” they note that Orlov’s case of repeated discrediting is the first under this article in Moscow.

It became known about the initiation of a criminal case against Orlov on March 21, when a number of “Memorial” employees were searched – in connection with the previously initiated case about the rehabilitation of Nazism. After the search, Orlov was brought in for questioning, where he was informed that a case had been opened against him under the second article – about repeated discrediting of the army. It is related to the post about the war in Ukraine, which the human rights activist published on November 14, 2022. In it, Orlov writes that the war was “unleashed by Putin’s regime” and calls it “the heaviest blow to the future of Russia.” Back in March 2022, Orlov was fined under the administrative article on the so-called discrediting of the army.

Orlov told the “Sota” publication that the case was initiated after the denunciation of activists Myronenko and Bohunko, involved in the “Veterans of Russia” movement. She is reportedly involved in the initiation of a criminal case on the rehabilitation of Nazism in connection with the activities of “Memorial”.

• In December 2021, the Supreme Court of Russia decided to liquidate the International Memorial, and the Moscow City Court made a similar decision regarding the Memorial human rights center.
• Human rights defenders were accused of violating the law on foreign agents. “Memorial”, in turn, called the actions of the Russian authorities politically motivated and disproportionate. The “Memorial” team continues its human rights activities without forming a legal entity.