Editor-in-chief of "Novaya Gazeta" testifies at trial on Politkovskaya's murder

At the Moscow City Court (MCC), the Prosecutor's Office has questioned, within presentation of evidence against the defendants in Politkovskaya's murder case, Dmitry Muratov, the editor-in-chief of the "Novaya Gazeta", where Anna Politkovskaya had worked. Muratov told jurors mainly about the person of Anna Politkovskaya, and not about the circumstances of the case, the defenders for the figurants said after questioning, as the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

According to the editor-in-chief, Politkovskaya's publications associated with the terror act in Dubrovka in Moscow were one of the most important episodes of her work.

Mr Muratov has also noted that Politkovskaya had difficult relationships with the leadership of the Chechen Republic. According to his story, the staff of the "Novaya Gazeta" had a feeling that clouds began thickening over Politkovskaya after she began investigating the sources, from where funds were allocated for restoration of Chechnya.

He added that Anna Politkovskaya's last article published in the "Novaya Gazeta" was the unfinished story on the tragedy in Beslan.

After the hearing, Karen Nersisyan, an advocate for Dmitry Pavlyuchenkov, explained to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the witness had been summoned for questioning by the Prosecutor's Office in order to define how often Politkovskaya went on business trips. "Politkovskaya was shadowed, according to investigators; and the defendants could not follow her, when she was abroad on business," said Nersisyan.