02:48, 28 January 2014

Anna Politkovskaya was assassinated for her publications in media, public prosecution claims

Moscow City Court. Photo http://mosgorsud.su/

Boris Loktionov, the state prosecutor, said at the trial for the journalist's murder at the Moscow City Court (MCC) that the motive behind Anna Politkovskaya's murder was in her publications. The defendants' advocates have reiterated their clients' innocence.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the current jury was formed on January 14, since the previous panel was disbanded in November 2013 because of the absence of most of its members.

"The defendant Gaitukaev created a criminal grouping after received an order from an unidentified person to kill the observer of the 'Novaya Gazeta' Anna Politkovskaya. The motive for the crime was in her unmasking publications in the media," said Loktionov.

According to his story, Gaitukaev also distributed roles among other defendants. "In accordance with the plot, in June-July 2006, Gaitukaev handed over 150,000 US dollars to Dmitry Pavlyuchenkov. To implement the plot, law enforcers were involved who shadowed Politkovskaya. On October 7, 2006, at the place of Politkovskaya's actual residence, the defendant Rustam Makhmudov inflicted gunshot wounds on her, from which she died," said the prosecutor.

Author: Yuliya Buslavskaya

Source: CK correspondent