Witness reticence hampers probe into Russian rights activist's murder - official
Interfax
July 24, 2009
Investigators have in mind a tentative group of suspects for the murder of Russian human rights activist Natalya Estemirova, but so far the case is proceeding with difficulty because local witnesses are reluctant to come forward with evidence, head of the Investigations Committee under the prosecutor's office Aleksandr Bastrykin has said, as reported by Interfax news agency on 24 July.
"We have a circle of tentative suspects in this case, who we believe had an interest in implementing this criminal plan. But no-one specific has been detained," Bastrykin said, as quoted in the report.
"The investigation is proceeding with difficulty, mainly because we expected more people who could have seen the criminals at the moment of (Estemirova's) abduction from the residential area. Unfortunately, local residents are reluctant to make contact with the investigation. So far we only have two people who heard only the sound of a car driving away at the moment Estemirova was abducted - and her shouts," he added.
