Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch Moscow, Tanya Lokshina, says the prosecutor in the Anna Politkovskaya murder case lost a crucial piece of evidence.
A video recording of the hitman pulling the trigger was “misplaced” a few days before the trial went to the Moscow District Military Court . Two Chechens and a former police officer were acquitted within two hours of deliberation.
In August 2007, Prosecutor General Yury Chaika said the murder had been solved. Ten suspects had been arrested and detained. Criminal charges were dropped on all but three. Yesterday, they walked free by a jury sealed off from the rest of the world.
The Kremlin is blocking efforts by the prosecution and other investigators.
“The entire corrupt system of law enforcement structures was engaged to block the work of the investigation,” said Novaya Gazeta Deputy Editor Sergei Sokolov.
The Committee to Protect Journalists ranks Russia as the third most dangerous country for journalists.
