From Russia With Love
Natalia Estemirova died two weeks ago. For those who may not know her, she was a human rights campaigner in her native Chechyna. She was forced into a car, driven to the outskirts of Gronzy and shot dead. She is the third campaigner who lost her life trying to expose the injustice and human rights abuses. Mr. Markelov and Anna Politkosvskya also lost their lives. Their killers are yet to be brought to justice.
I have tried to make sense of it all. The Russian President did say that he was appalled and noted that she did "some good work". He ordered the Prosecutor General to take charge of the case. Oh well!!! I fell out of my chair in laughter when Kadyrov, the gangster-President of Chechyna saying that he had nothing to do with her murder. He noted that as a Muslim, he does not kill women. Right!!!!!
All these non-denial denials simply means a cover-up. What is unfortunate is how the rule of law and accountability seems to have no meaning in Russia. With the uptick in violence in the Southern Regions of Russia, it is bound to get worst. It is unfortunate that courageous men and women have to pay the utlimate price.
Mike Pouraryan
