People frequently met in the kitchen of their Moscow apartment to hold political conversations, discuss socio-political matters, and listen to songs of bards.
[5] Subsequently, the All-union, voluntary, historic-educational society “Memorial” was formed on the basis of the original initiative group.
[8][9] In 1990 Orlov participated in the electoral block “Elections-90” [Vybory-90], was the authorized representative of human rights defender Sergei Kovalevn elections in the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union[10] and after his election worked in the administration of the Supreme Council where he held the position of specialist on a committee for human rights.
[11][12] Orlov worked on laws dealing with the humanization of the penitentiary system in Russia and the rehabilitation of victims of political repression.
[17] He also co-authored many reports for “Memorial.”[18] Beginning in 1994 Orlov, together with Sergei Kovalev, the chair of the Committee of Human Rights under the President of Russia, worked in the military conflict zone of the Chechen Republic.
[19] In June 1995 Oleg Orlov, as part of a group headed by Kovalev, participated in negotiations with terrorists, who under the direction of Shamil Basaev captured hostages in the city of Budyonnovsk.
[20][21] Subsequently, Orlov and Human Rights Center “Memorial” gave much attention to the problem of kidnapping in the Caucasus and victims among the peaceful populations of the Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan.
But then with a snicker he added, ‘It’s a pity we didn’t bring silencers’ and then they left.” The attackers stole video equipment, documents, cell phones, and personal items from Orlov and the journalists.
An hour before the attack the patrol squad that was keeping watch in the Assa Hotel left their post under orders from their superiors.
A one-and-a-half hour run wearing only socks in freezing cold weather is already a sufficient basis to begin speaking of inhuman treatment to victims.
[27][28] In response to this, Kadyrov filed suit against Orlov and HRC “Memorial” in order to protect his honor, dignity, business reputation, and to receive compensation for moral injury.
On October 6, 2009, the judge partly satisfied Kadyrov's claim, collecting 20 thousand Rubles from Orlov and 50 thousand Rubles from “Memorial.”[29][30] The judge viewed the statements from Orlov about the personal or indirect fault of Kadyrov in the death of Estemirova as discrediting the honor and dignity of the President.
And in such situations the judge should be more severe.”[35] On June 6, 2010, for that same public statement, Orlov was accused of a criminal offense for “slander” (item 129, part 3 UKRF).
[37][38] On June 14, 2011, magistrate of the court district No.363 of the Khamoviki region of Moscow declared Orlov “not guilty.”[39] Kadyrov's representative, as well as the state prosecutor, has appealed against this verdict.
A few hours later, it was discovered that a criminal case had been opened against Oleg Orlov for discrediting the Russian Army (article 280.3 CC, Section 1).
[emphasis added] "The brutal war unleashed by Putin’s regime in Ukraine is not only mass murder of people and destruction of the infrastructure, economy, and cultural sites of this wonderful country.
[49] At the hearing, he was accompanied by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov, who said that Orlov was being tried "for observing the Russian Constitution" which, he argued, guarantees freedom of expression.
"[50] On 2 February 2024, Russia's Ministry of Justice designated Orlov as a "foreign agent", citing his opposition to the war in Ukraine, and accusing him of spreading "false information" about the government's actions.
[55] On 15 March 2024, Memorial announced that Oleg Orlov had been given a form to sign in the detention centre, where he was living with 10 men in a small cell, in which he was to declare his willingness to take part in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.