MOSCOW, November 14 - RAPSI. The Moscow City Court has dismissed the appeal filed by lawyer Andrei Krasnenkov, who represents the interests of Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, against the Tverskoy District Court's ruling to dismiss his defamation lawsuit against the Memorial human rights organization, the court told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com) on Wednesday.

He claimed in the first-instance court that five statements in articles written by the organization defame the Chechen president. He sought their refutation, as well as 500,000 rubles ($15,820) in moral damages.

The court has refused to uphold the claims.

Memorial head Oleg Orlov called the decision lawful, adding that he had no doubts as to the ruling.

According to Krasnenkov, the Ostankinsky District Court had previously dismissed a similar lawsuit by Memorial against the president.

Krasnenkov said he filed his lawsuit against Memorial in 2010, but requested its suspension until the hearing of another case against Orlov reached an end.

Investigators accused Orlov of defaming Kadyrov in relation to the murder case of human rights activist Natalya Estemirova. Estemirova, an employee at Memorial and the winner of renowned human rights awards, was kidnapped in Grozny on July 15, 2009. Her body was later found in Ingushetia.

Her murder incited a political and social uproar. Orlov spoke publicly of Kadyrov's personal or indirect involvement in her death, after which the lawsuits commenced. In January 2012, the Khamovnichesky District Court closed the case due to the decriminalization of the corresponding article in the Criminal Code.

The Tverskoy District Court previously found that Orlov's statements defamed Kadyrov's honor, dignity and business reputation. Orlov was fined 20,000 rubles ($632) and Memorial was fined 50,000 rubles ($1,580).