19:00, 28 September 2010

Bastrykin: Estemirova's murderer is known, alive and on federal wanted list

The killer of the human rights activist Natalia Estemirova is known; he is in the territory of Russia; and steps are taken to arrest him, Alexander Bastrykin, head of the Russian ICPO (Investigatory Committee at the Prosecutor's Office), said today at the meeting with a delegation from the International Committee to Protect Journalists.

"Together with the internal affairs authorities, we've managed to achieve serious progress in investigating this case. We know the executor," said Alexander Bastrykin.

He has noted that he would like to comment on the allegations that the murderer had allegedly died. "According to special services, with which we are searching him, he is still alive. Furthermore, he is in the territory of Russia. We know the region, where he is hiding, and make efforts to detain him and deliver to justice," Mr Bastrykin told the ITAR-TASS.

"We are convinced of the guilt of the alleged executor, it is confirmed by the evidence in the case," said the head of the ICPO, stressing that the alleged killer of the human rights activist was announced into federal search, the "Interfax" reports.