Russia 'Completes' Investigation of Anna Politkovskaya's Murder

Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, an outspoken critic of the Kremlin, was shot dead in 2006. File photo

A preliminary investigation into the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya has been completed, Russia's Investigative Committee said on Tuesday.

Politkovskaya, a reporter on Russia's Novaya Gazeta daily, known for her scathing criticism of both the Kremlin and the North Caucasus authorities over human rights abuses and the war in Chechnya, was shot dead in the lobby of her apartment building in downtown Moscow in 2006.

Five people have been charged in the case, Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said, as cited by RIA Novosti.

"The investigative team has gathered enough evidence" for the case to proceed, he added.

"Today the investigation announces the completion of the preliminary investigation and notifies the accused about this."

One of the suspects, Lom-Ali Gaitukayev, was the organizer of the crime, according to the investigation. He set up a criminal group in 2006 and led it.

Politkovskaya was shot dead by Chechen native Rustam Makhmudov after he received information about her whereabouts from his two brothers, Ibragim and Dzhabrail, the committee said.

Russian investigators previously said they knew who had ordered the killing, which was done in revenge for her expose publications. Politkovskaya's supporters blamed Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov for involvement in the murder, though Kadyrov vehemently denied the allegations.

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