NGO members have held an action in Chechnya in memory of the human rights activists and journalists, who were assassinated or fell victim of extrajudicial executions, with participation of Lyudmila Alekseeva, chair of the Moscow Helsinki Group (MHG).

The action took place on August 30, 2009 in the Gudermes district of Chechnya, where Natalya Estemirova, a well-known human rights defender and employee of the human rights organization “Memorial”, who was kidnapped and then murdered on July 15, is buried.

“In memory of Natalya Estemirova and all murdered human rights defenders, public figures and journalists, yesterday in Ishkhoy-Yurt village, Gudermes District, NGO activists held the rite of almsgiving. Needy families received foodstuff packages. Then we visited Estemirova’s tomb” one of the participants said in his conversation with the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

“Dozens of people came to take part in the action. Lyudmila Alekseeva, head of the MHG, arrived from Moscow and Ms Alekseeva has promised to make everything possible in helping to find and punish Natasha’s killers” said the source of the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.