Notes fom A. Politovskaya’s Russian Diary
June 2, 2004 – Selimchan Kadyrov buried
Second son of Kadyrov father buried. Selimchan was opposed to the violence of his father and his younger brother, sought consolation in Heroin. He died 3 weeks after his father – allegedly due to heart failure. That makes Raman the only survivor.
June 19, 2004 – Nikolai Girenko murdered
Nikolai Girenko (October 31, 1940 – June 19, 2004)
A professor for ethnology and human rights activist who fought for more tolerance in Russia in the 1990s and early 2000s, until he was murdered by russian neo-nazis in June of 2004 in his appartment. He served as expert witness in many trials against extremist organizations. (Wikipedia)
(Politovskaja, Russisches Tagebuch – pp.185 ff)
Night of June 21/22, 2004 – Nazran raid
Anna gets desperate calls from people she knows from this region Critizes Putin and the Russian authorities for the way they conduct the war, how they fail to protect the population.
June 23, 2004 – Alu Alchanov runs for president of Chechnya
As in Inguchetia – presidents are endorsed by Putin – the people in the regions has no say
July 1, 2004 – Round table in Moscow monastery – freedom and dignity of the individual – orthodox vs liberal views.
Anna is critical of the views there, mourns the lack of awareness by Ella Panfilowa
Also – last chapter in the deconstruction of YUKOS organization
July 6, 2004 – Chechnyans protest in vain
Chechnyans protest against kidnapping of family member – no resonance in Russian society or from the police of from the legal structures
July 7, 2004 – Despearate appeals from Chechnyans- letters to European court, hunger strike