Chechnya's Kremlin-backed leader Ramzan Kadyrov has dismissed suggestions of his involvement in killings in Chechnya.
He was testifying by video link in the Moscow trial of a prominent human rights activist he sued for defamation.
Kadyrov sued Memorial rights organization head Oleg Orlov over remarks in which he said Kadyrov was responsible for the 2009 killing of Natalya Estemirova, an activist who was found dead after being abducted in Chechnya.
Kadyrov said Estemirova "never defended human rights."
Orlov could face up to three years in prison if found guilty in the criminal slander trial.
Orlov did not accuse Kadyrov of having Estemirova killed, but said he was responsible because he had created an atmosphere of impunity and lawlessness.
compiled from agency reports
He was testifying by video link in the Moscow trial of a prominent human rights activist he sued for defamation.
Kadyrov sued Memorial rights organization head Oleg Orlov over remarks in which he said Kadyrov was responsible for the 2009 killing of Natalya Estemirova, an activist who was found dead after being abducted in Chechnya.
Kadyrov said Estemirova "never defended human rights."
Orlov could face up to three years in prison if found guilty in the criminal slander trial.
Orlov did not accuse Kadyrov of having Estemirova killed, but said he was responsible because he had created an atmosphere of impunity and lawlessness.
compiled from agency reports