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| Russia hunts journalist's killer | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Russian prosecutors investigating the murder of a prominent journalist say they believe her death could be linked to her investigative reporting. | Russian prosecutors investigating the murder of a prominent journalist say they believe her death could be linked to her investigative reporting. |
| Anna Politkovskaya was found shot dead on Saturday in a lift at her apartment block in the Russian capital, Moscow. | Anna Politkovskaya was found shot dead on Saturday in a lift at her apartment block in the Russian capital, Moscow. |
| Grainy CCTV footage from the building shows a man in a baseball cap following her inside just before the shooting. | |
| The 48-year-old mother of two was known as a fierce critic of the Kremlin's actions in Chechnya. | The 48-year-old mother of two was known as a fierce critic of the Kremlin's actions in Chechnya. |
| Deputy Prosecutor Vyacheslav Rosinsky said that one theory was that the killing had been "linked to the victim's social or professional duties". | |
| Her own newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, suggests on its front page that she was killed for her reporting on Chechnya. | |
| Police sources quoted by Russian media say Ms Politkovskaya was shot three times in the body and once in the head. | |
| A Makarov pistol and four cartridges were reportedly found near her body. | |
| Life of risk | |
| Ms Politkovskaya often wrote about human rights abuses in Chechnya and her last published article in Novaya Gazeta attacked pro-Moscow militia there. | |
| RUSSIA'S CONTRACT KILLINGS Sept 2006 - first deputy chairman of Russia's central bank Andrei Kozlov shot dead in MoscowOct 2005 - former bank head Alexander Slesarev gunned down near MoscowJuly 2004 - US editor of Forbes' Russian edition Paul Klebnikov shot dead in MoscowOct 2002 - Magadan governor Valentin Tsvetkov killed in MoscowNov 1998 - liberal MP Galina Starovoitova killed in St PetersburgMarch 1995 - leading journalist Vladislav Listyev shot dead in Moscow | |
| A new article about torture was in the pipeline, according to deputy editor Vitaly Yaroshevsky. | |
| "We were expecting material for Monday's issue," he said on Russian TV. | |
| "She said she would do it and was meant to write this, and perhaps already had. It was about torture in Chechnya." | |
| Ms Politkovskaya had received death threats in the past and suspicions were immediately raised that her death was a contract killing. | |
| Ms Politkovskaya became ill with food-poisoning on her way to report on the Beslan school siege in 2004, which some believed to be an attempt on her life. | |
| In 2001, she fled to Vienna, Austria, after receiving e-mail threats claiming a Russian police officer she had accused of committing atrocities against civilians wanted to take his revenge. | |
| 'Brave defender' | 'Brave defender' |
| Tributes have been pouring in for the campaigning journalist. | Tributes have been pouring in for the campaigning journalist. |
| Risk is a usual part of my job Anna Politkovskaya Obituary: Anna Politkovskaya Colleagues pay tribute | Risk is a usual part of my job Anna Politkovskaya Obituary: Anna Politkovskaya Colleagues pay tribute |
| Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev described her killing as a savage crime, and a blow to the independent democratic press in Russia. | |
| The US state department said America was "shocked and profoundly saddened by the brutal murder of independent Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya". | |
| The director of the Moscow-based Centre for Journalism in Extreme Situations, Oleg Panfilov, said: "Whenever the question arose whether there is honest journalism in Russia, almost every time the first name that came to mind was Politkovskaya. | |
| "Russia has lost a brave and dedicated human rights defender," said Nicola Duckworth from the rights group Amnesty International which called for a thorough investigation. | |
| Sense of duty | Sense of duty |
| Russian political analyst Anna Zelkina was doubtful there would be results. | |
| Politkovskaya had often received threats | |
| "There is this series of politically motivated murders like hers," she told the BBC. | "There is this series of politically motivated murders like hers," she told the BBC. |
| "I'm afraid that there will be less and less people who would be taking the risk to report... [she's] a very difficult person to replace." | |
| Terry Davis, secretary-general of the human rights watchdog The Council of Europe, suggested she may have fallen victim to "self-appointed executioners... silencing voices of protest". | |
| In an interview two years ago with the BBC, Ms Politkovskaya said she believed it was her duty to continue reporting, despite receiving death threats. | In an interview two years ago with the BBC, Ms Politkovskaya said she believed it was her duty to continue reporting, despite receiving death threats. |
| "I think the duty of doctors is to give health to their patients, the duty of the singer to sing - the duty of the journalist is to write what this journalist sees in reality," she said. | |
What is your reaction to the news of Anna Politkovskaya's death? Send us your comments using the form below: | What is your reaction to the news of Anna Politkovskaya's death? Send us your comments using the form below: |
| I think the death of Anna Politkovskaya is a shame to the people of Russia, especially, the freedom loving people. President Putin must take full personal responsibility of this inhuman incident. No democracy can survive with out an open press. The whole world, including president Bush, must demand a full investigation into this tragic loss of life of a fine individual.- Jim Aphrem, Baudette, USA | |
| I am shocked by the comments rather than the news itself. I have no idea about the history of Russia or Chechnya, but from what I read in this news, blaming on Russia or its President is definitely not a wise idea. Ms Politkovskaya's death is believed to be a murder, by someone yet unknown. However, in common sense, would one to murder someone whose death in the end will result in his own jeopardy? Unlikely. Hence, making such a link between Russia' President or system with the murder would not give much sense to someone like me, who views it subjectively. Rather, it gives me a sense of existence of biasness.Ginter, South Asia | |
| My heart broke in halves when I heard of Anna's death. This is absolutely not right. Mr Putin is clearly failing as the strong leader he portrays himself as. He cannot continue to allow contract, and racial killings in Russia to flourish the way it is. I think rather than concentrating on dealing with the so called enemies of Russia, he should fight the high rate of crime and xenophobia that is destroying his country. Chris Akudo, Louisiana, USA | |
| I certainly feel sorry for a lost life, but I don't see much connection between her job and the murder. There could be many reasons why that happened. When Starovoitova was killed 8 years ago everybody was crying out loud about Kremlin's and KGB long hands. But as it turned out she was simply robbed, she had 4 million US dollars in cash and her colleagues knew that. So there was no connection to her professional activities, but no one will remember this now. BBC and all the liberals need to see the connection with Putin and bad guys in Kremlin even if there is none. Carry on!Vladimir, London, UK | |
| I am very sorry that one of the bravest journalists passed away. And also I feel terrible that the true news won't never come from Russia.Kotoko Kuboshima, Saitama. Japan | |
| I didn't know of Anna Politkovskaya, but she put her work above her own personal safety. In the US journalists seldom do this. The search for truth isn't about risk, it's about keeping a job. Russians should honour such a figure. The US can only hope for one.james emory, US | |
| It is too early to make any assumptions ladies and gentlemen. We do not have all information we need. I do not think V.Putin and Co so stupid to have assassinate a famous, independent journalist in Moscow. If they wanted it there are others more ambiguous ways i.e. car accident etc. Everything is more complicated in Russia...Artem, Saskatoon | |
| Her professional reputation was among the lowest among the Russian journalists, but all those ¿human rights¿ instalments (like CIA-funded Freedom House) appreciated her very much. The newspapers she worked for lost several court cases as the appearance of truthful facts in her articles was a rare occasion. This is absurd to think that Putin or other high-ranking Russian officials has something to do with her (no doubt appalling) killing, as her audience and influence in Russia was close to zero. All her professional life was devoted to putting slur on Russia and Russian people, and now, as the majority of comments here and in other Western outlets clearly shows, her death will continue to serve this purpose.Valentin Nikolaev, St-Petersburg, Russia | |
| From what I read here , I recognize that there are sufficient reasons to murder a person like Anna Politkovskaya . One of the very simple reason is , she so bravely stood for truth. Anyone who adamantly fight for it is considered as an anathema by people who have money and muscle power . Am sure ,she will inspire more and more people in Russia to follow her path and even in death thus she will stand for the cause she lived for. sreedhar, Dubai , UAE (from India) | |
| This is terrible news. A few years ago I read her work "Putin's Russia" and her warmth and passion for Russia came through in every story. This may well be another indication that the Russian transition will prove not to result in a democratic outcome.James McCormick, UK | This is terrible news. A few years ago I read her work "Putin's Russia" and her warmth and passion for Russia came through in every story. This may well be another indication that the Russian transition will prove not to result in a democratic outcome.James McCormick, UK |
| That is brutal. Certainly, there are no doubts concerning the cause of the murder (and a fact that it was a murder); assuredly, nothing would be done, nothing would be clear and the case would initially be forgotten with a few TV documental films as an epitaph. Of course, sometimes she should not have been that straight, at least not with names when publishing her articles. Finally, her children - poor kids, they lost their mother for the truth.Marat Khisamov, Russia | That is brutal. Certainly, there are no doubts concerning the cause of the murder (and a fact that it was a murder); assuredly, nothing would be done, nothing would be clear and the case would initially be forgotten with a few TV documental films as an epitaph. Of course, sometimes she should not have been that straight, at least not with names when publishing her articles. Finally, her children - poor kids, they lost their mother for the truth.Marat Khisamov, Russia |
| Coming from a Russian family and having re-visited my roots there, I am shocked and dismayed. However, this sort of blithe disregard for human life will always be endemic in a country still run by fear, and by a man who's KGB heritage is still all too present. Nick Francis, UK | Coming from a Russian family and having re-visited my roots there, I am shocked and dismayed. However, this sort of blithe disregard for human life will always be endemic in a country still run by fear, and by a man who's KGB heritage is still all too present. Nick Francis, UK |
| I am appalled by the murder of Anna Politkovskaya. I have read quite a few of her books and I always wondered how she got away with it. Indeed, nothing has changed and if someone is in the way, just eliminate them. No respect for human life, children, freedom of speech, despite the cosmetics of change in Russia. May she rest in peace and her children remember her for the courageous woman that she was. Anne Popoff, Canada | I am appalled by the murder of Anna Politkovskaya. I have read quite a few of her books and I always wondered how she got away with it. Indeed, nothing has changed and if someone is in the way, just eliminate them. No respect for human life, children, freedom of speech, despite the cosmetics of change in Russia. May she rest in peace and her children remember her for the courageous woman that she was. Anne Popoff, Canada |
| Mr Putin takes pride in his reputation as a strongman, and bangs on about law and order - yet in his own capital a central banker and a leading journalist have been gunned down in the space of a month, and I'm sure the killers will never be found. The Russian authorities are doing a great job hounding the Georgians but contract killers need not worry. Ivan, Ukraine | Mr Putin takes pride in his reputation as a strongman, and bangs on about law and order - yet in his own capital a central banker and a leading journalist have been gunned down in the space of a month, and I'm sure the killers will never be found. The Russian authorities are doing a great job hounding the Georgians but contract killers need not worry. Ivan, Ukraine |
| Ms. Politkovskaya was one of the very few who stood for what she believed in, despite of the constant threat involved in her role. The array of possible suspects in her murder is long, reflecting not just the range of her inquiring mind but also the extent of greed, theft and violence in a society still groping for an accommodation between capitalism and the rule of law. Her death is Russia's loss. May god bless her soul. Apoorv Vyas, Ireland | Ms. Politkovskaya was one of the very few who stood for what she believed in, despite of the constant threat involved in her role. The array of possible suspects in her murder is long, reflecting not just the range of her inquiring mind but also the extent of greed, theft and violence in a society still groping for an accommodation between capitalism and the rule of law. Her death is Russia's loss. May god bless her soul. Apoorv Vyas, Ireland |
| She was an extremely gifted woman dedicated to her field of work and not afraid of exercising what we Americans call Freedom Of speech. I could only hope that true democracy will one day reign over Russia. As Einstein said "Great spirits always encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds."Hector Troncoso, US | She was an extremely gifted woman dedicated to her field of work and not afraid of exercising what we Americans call Freedom Of speech. I could only hope that true democracy will one day reign over Russia. As Einstein said "Great spirits always encounter violent opposition from mediocre minds."Hector Troncoso, US |
| I am in absolute shock. Anna was an extraordinary person of an unmatched integrity and drive. Being born Russian, I love Russia with all my heart. This news of a cold blood murder makes me so angry. Can this great country be ever free? Such loss, such emptiness. Arina Kurchina, UK | I am in absolute shock. Anna was an extraordinary person of an unmatched integrity and drive. Being born Russian, I love Russia with all my heart. This news of a cold blood murder makes me so angry. Can this great country be ever free? Such loss, such emptiness. Arina Kurchina, UK |
| I'm always amazed by the bravery of journalist who carry on reporting the truth despite threats and intimidation. It saddens me that she isn't the first, and won't be the last, journalist to die for her integrity. For her families sake, as well as the sake of truth, I hope there is a full and fair investigation into her death. Katherine, London | I'm always amazed by the bravery of journalist who carry on reporting the truth despite threats and intimidation. It saddens me that she isn't the first, and won't be the last, journalist to die for her integrity. For her families sake, as well as the sake of truth, I hope there is a full and fair investigation into her death. Katherine, London |
| It is a criminal act on the life of such a renounced journalist. She died for the truth through her profession. People grow annoyed when they are hit by the truth. She is gone for ever and it's a big loss to her family and the nation. Always remember her good work! David M.G Vandi, Sierra Leone | It is a criminal act on the life of such a renounced journalist. She died for the truth through her profession. People grow annoyed when they are hit by the truth. She is gone for ever and it's a big loss to her family and the nation. Always remember her good work! David M.G Vandi, Sierra Leone |
| I'm totally gutted to hear this news. She was part of a great tradition of courageous war reporting and investigative journalism who have never been afraid to put their lives on the line in pursuit of the truth. Russia's war in Chechnya is the dirtiest of wars and Russian politics is equally dirty these days. I fear that nothing will change for a long, long, time. Harvey Burgess, US | I'm totally gutted to hear this news. She was part of a great tradition of courageous war reporting and investigative journalism who have never been afraid to put their lives on the line in pursuit of the truth. Russia's war in Chechnya is the dirtiest of wars and Russian politics is equally dirty these days. I fear that nothing will change for a long, long, time. Harvey Burgess, US |
| I am broken-hearted that this relentless journalist has been taken away from us and I am driven deeper into a perception of Russia as a darkening state. Sheryl Feldman, US | I am broken-hearted that this relentless journalist has been taken away from us and I am driven deeper into a perception of Russia as a darkening state. Sheryl Feldman, US |
| I am very sad about her murder. Anna was a journalist, who wasn't frightened into silence about the Chechnya war. Pekka Salo, Finland | I am very sad about her murder. Anna was a journalist, who wasn't frightened into silence about the Chechnya war. Pekka Salo, Finland |
| I am almost sure the real killers will never be found, at least not within the lifetime of the present Russian authorities. This courageous woman saved the honour of Russia. Let her rest in peace. Marek Porzycki, Poland | I am almost sure the real killers will never be found, at least not within the lifetime of the present Russian authorities. This courageous woman saved the honour of Russia. Let her rest in peace. Marek Porzycki, Poland |
| I am truly sorry for the death of the Journalist. I think all those having problems with the principles of democracy and free society resort to guns at the end of the day. This is terrible news and I think it clearly shows how the current administration views freedom of expression. Who would possibly want to kill a journalist? I think the world organisations working in relation to journalism should condemn this horrible act. Abraham, Ethiopia | I am truly sorry for the death of the Journalist. I think all those having problems with the principles of democracy and free society resort to guns at the end of the day. This is terrible news and I think it clearly shows how the current administration views freedom of expression. Who would possibly want to kill a journalist? I think the world organisations working in relation to journalism should condemn this horrible act. Abraham, Ethiopia |
| I think it is terrible that someone so dedicated to stopping abuse of human rights and providing honest reporting could be killed so brutally.Allison Nastoff, US | I think it is terrible that someone so dedicated to stopping abuse of human rights and providing honest reporting could be killed so brutally.Allison Nastoff, US |
| It seems that Russia is back in the old days of the Iron curtain. Those who oppose their views are eliminated.Francisco Schnell, Portugal | It seems that Russia is back in the old days of the Iron curtain. Those who oppose their views are eliminated.Francisco Schnell, Portugal |
| This is wrong. A reporter does her job, reporting facts and reporting atrocities committed during the Chechen conflict. Not to die in conflict but to be found dead in a lift because someone don't like what she has written. We can not change freedom of press and reporters will have to go on reporting, we can not bow down to these people. Joseph Ivanov, Canada | This is wrong. A reporter does her job, reporting facts and reporting atrocities committed during the Chechen conflict. Not to die in conflict but to be found dead in a lift because someone don't like what she has written. We can not change freedom of press and reporters will have to go on reporting, we can not bow down to these people. Joseph Ivanov, Canada |