International Society ’’Memorial’’ Statement

During a press-conference in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana on March 22, 2011 Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, announced: ’’... Now, we have to think ... about the victims whose number is increasing due to the current civil war in Libya and as a result of the rocket and bomb strikes on this country’s territory. We must all think in particular about that, in priority... But, of course, the ones that should first think about it are the ones involved in this tragedy. They should think about it and pray for their souls to be saved.’’

Let’s come back eleven-twelve years earlier when Putin was also Prime Minister and was fulfilling presidential obligations.

On October 7, 1999, during the bombing of Elistanji, at least 30 civilian residents died including women and children, while tens of people were injured.

On October 21, 1999, a rocket strike in the center of Grozny caused the death of more than 100 people and more than 200 injured.

On October 29, 1999, the bombing of refugees columns in Shaami-Yurt caused according to official data (which clearly underestimates the losses) the death of 16 civilian residents and 11 injured.

On that same day, a refugees column moving from the village of Petropavlovskoe to the stanitza of Goryacheistochnenskaya was exposed to artillery shots. At least 23 people were injured and 7 others later died in hospital.

On February 4-7, 2000, more than 100 people died in the artillery firing of the village of Katyr-Yurt. According to official data (once again underestimating the deaths), 43 civilian residents died and 53 were injured.

On February 5, 2000, during a clean-up operation in the village of Novye Aldy and the adjacent quarters of Grozny, 56 civilian residents were shot down, including women, old persons and a child. It was established in the criminal case documents.

These are only a few examples of the long train of crimes against the civilian residents of the Republic of Chechnya.

When he spoke in Ljubljana in 2011, Putin obviously forgot not only about what was happening in his own country, but also about his implication in those tragic events. Maybe should the Prime Minister first pray to save his own soul?

International Society ’’Memorial’’ Board

March 24, 2011

For further information: Memorial