23 July 2009, 23:00
Moscow: after picket in Estemirova's memory, militiamen detain organizer of the action
After the picket in Russian capital aimed to commemorate Natalia Estemirova, an employee of the Grozny office of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", its organizer Victor Sakirko was detained by the militia.
We remind you that the picket, in which some 70-100 persons took part, unlike the previous one, held in full silence, without speeches and statements, was not so calm. From time to time people kept scanning: "We'll never forget! We'll never forgive!", "Bring Kadyrov to account!", "Hands off Oleg Orlov!" Today, the picket in memory of the deceased human rights defender was also held in Kaluga.
At about 7 p.m., when most of the picketers went to the party in Estemirova's memory to the Moscow office of "Memorial", several persons still remained in the picket venue. All of a sudden, several agents in militia uniform and black berets got out of a bus. They seized the organizer of the action Victor Sakirko and dragged him towards the bus.
Other protesters tried to interfere, women hang on militiamen's hands, demanding to release him; however, the militiamen managed to drag Mr Sakirko into the bus.
There was the car still in the venue of the militia major, who was in charge of public order at the event. He was surrounded by the remaining picketers who demanded to explain the reason of Sakirko's detention. They blocked the car and would not let him to go. The major presented himself, but refused to show his ID.
He said that Sakirko was detained for violating the rules of holding a picket. His application ran that some 30 persons would take part, but in fact there were much more participants present. The major explained that the detainee was brought to the nearest ROVD (District Interior Divisions). Employees of the "Memorial" asked the people to set the militiaman free and went to the ROVD to clear out the situation.
Now it is known that Victor Sakirko is at large. Instead, a certain Ionov was detained, an activist of the Movement named "Solidarity", who was holding, in the moment of Sakirko's detention, his solo picket stood opposite the ROVD.
Author: Dmitry Florin Source: CK correspondent
