New Twist on Politkovskaya Murder

Lawyer Murad Musayev said the indictment did not name a political figure, but his statement contradicts the official Russian take on Politkovskaya’s murder and adds a new twist to the already-dramatic trial.

Politkovskaya, a reporter for independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, wrote books and articles fiercely critical of Vladimir Putin and Russia’s wars in Chechnya. She was shot four times in a contract-style killing in her Moscow apartment building two years ago.

The Kremlin Theory and Questions

Russia’s chief prosecutor has postulated that anti-Kremlin figures outside Russia had Politkovskaya killed to tarnish Russia’s image, hinting that former Kremlin insider-turned outspoken critic Boris Berezovsky may be to blame. Berezovsky lives in London under refugee status and has denied any involvement.

Others, including defense attorney Musayev, contend that the Kremlin ordered Politkovskaya’s killing. “In the indictment, we read that…this is a political figure inside the Russian Federation and that he ordered this crime to punish Anna Politkovskaya for critical publications,” Musayev told reporters at the courthouse.

Judge Yevgeny Zubov on Wednesday refused to remove himself from the trial after prosecutors cited unspecified biases.and asked him to. Zubov suspended the trial to consider that motion but said the charge was unfounded. He has already reversed himself twice in one week, opening the trial to the public yet again Tuesday after last week opening it and then closing it. 

-- Beth Kampschror