10 Arrested in Killing of Russian Journalist Politkovskaya

Russian prosecutors have detained ten suspects in the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya.  Prosecutor General Yury Chaika believes that the murder was planned from abroad by anti-Kremlin forces in an attempt to discredit Russia. 

Politkovskaya was shot dead in her apartment in Moscow in October.  She was an outspoken critic of the Kremlin and reported widely on human rights abuses occurring in Chechnya. 

Her death caused concern worldwide for the safety of reporters in Russia.  After her death President Vladimir Putin caused further outrage by stating that her influence on Russian political life was very minor, seemingly dismissing her.  Due to worldwide concern, Western governments have been pushing the Kremlin to solve the murder quickly.

Despite this, the Kremlin has not commented on the investigation in months.  Reporters Without Borders, a journalist advocacy group, complained in April that no progress had been made in the investigation and called for an inquiry if concrete evidence and conclusive evidence was not produced.

On Friday, after months of investigation, arrests of the suspects were approved by a Russian district court.  The ten suspects include five police and Federal Security Service officers and three Chechen brothers.  According to Chaika, they belong to Moscow-based criminal group specializing in contract killings.  He believes that Politkovskaya had met and likely known the person who had ordered the killing.  He stated that this person lived abroad and ordered the crime to discredit the Kremlin.  Chaika suggested that it could be Boris Berezovsky, long time critic of Putin.  Chaika stated that charges would be brought against the suspect in the near future.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, based out of the United States, has stated that since Putin has taken office thirteen journalists have been killed in contract style murders.  Two months before Politkovskaya’s death, Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko had been poisoned in London.  Before he died he blamed Putin for his poisoning and for Politkovskaya’s murder.  Concern continues to build for the safety of journalists who criticize the Kremlin.

The Independent, Russia suggests Berezovsky was behind journalist’s killing, 28 August 2007

The Moscow Times, 10 Arrested in Politkovskaya Murder, 28 August 2007

Fox News, 10 Arrested in Murder of Russian Journalist, 27 August 2007

EuroNews, Chechen-led group arrested for Russian journalist’s murder, 27 August 2007

Belfast Telegraph, 10 to be charged over murder of Russian journalist, 27 August 2007

Reuters Canada, Russia says Politkovskaya murder ordered from abroad, 27 August 2007