Titiev receives Franco-German Award "For Human Rights"

The Franco-German Prize "For Human Rights and Rule of Law" was awarded to Oyub Titiev, the head of the Grozny office of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" and was given to his colleagues at the residence of the German Ambassador in Moscow.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Oyub Titiev, has been under arrest since January 11 on charges of drug possession. The human rights defender claims that drugs were planted on him by law enforcers.

The Prize, awarded to Titiev, was given to Oleg Orlov, the Chairman of the Board of the HRC "Memorial", and Milana Bakhaeva, an employee of the "Memorial", says the message posted on the Telegram channel of the HRC "Memorial".

"This Prize is awarded every year 15 times around the world and once in Europe – to Oyub Titiev," said Rüdiger von Fritsch, the German Ambassador to the Russian Federation during the awarding ceremony.

Oleg Orlov, who received the award instead of his colleague, noted that he had met with Titiev on the eve of the ceremony. "Oyub asked to convey words of gratitude for such a high reward. He asked to say that it is impossible to put up with the existence of such places, where people are taken away from their homes and disappear without a trace," Mr Orlov said, as quoted, same as Ambassador Fritsch, by the "Interfax".