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On July 15, 2009, human rights activist Natalya Estemirova was abducted near her Grozny home while investigating abuses in Chechnya. Witnesses saw her forcibly taken into a car. Later that day, her body was found with gunshot wounds in Ingushetia. Items confirming her identity were discovered at the scene. Estemirova had faced threats for her work exposing human rights violations.
Natalia’s Last words/work: “It’s my business whether to wear a scarf or not, “she said. “If I am going to a funeral, of course, I wear one out of respect for the family and their grief. But if I am just out on the street, then no one can force me or any other Chechen woman to wear one.”
Journalist Information:
Name: Natalia Estemirova
Age: 51
Gender: Female
DOB: 28/02/1958
Nationality: Russian
Last company worked for: Human Rights Watch
Family: Natalia left behind her daughter.
Incident Information:
Date of incident – 15 July 2009
Location of incident – Chiuhuahua, Mexico
Offense victim of: Assassination
Weapons included – Firearm
Natalia was kidnapped, and her body was found in Ingushetia with gunshot wounds.
Suspect(s) Information:
Perpetrator Identified: Yes
Name: Ramzan Kadyrov
Proof of Targeting the Journalist: “She spoke later about what he said to her. he said, “I have blood on my hands, it’s true, and I’m not ashamed of it. I have killed and will continue to kill bad people.” That statement was followed by insults and threats against Estemirova,” he continued.
Reason for Killing: Estemirova was killed to stop her from investigating a recent spate of kidnappings she believed were carried out by forces loyal to Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov
Progress of the Case: The case is still pending.