We are appalled and saddened at yesterday’s terrible murder of our colleague, and outstanding human rights defender, Natalia Estemirova.

Natalia worked for Memorial Human Rights Centre in Grozny, and helped countless ordinary people in Chechnya in their struggle for justice in the face of grave human rights abuses. She worked courageously to document and investigate these cases and was determined to do all she could to bring the truth to light.

Natalia was kidnapped yesterday at around 8.30am close to her home in Grozny, Chechnya. As four unidentified men forced her into a car, she managed to shout that she was being kidnapped. Her body was discovered that evening in Ingushetia with two gunshot wounds to the head.

We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to Natalia’s family and friends and we call on the Russian authorities to initiate a full and urgent investigation into this outrageous killing.