#21 - JRL 2007 - 210 - JRL Home
Final solution to Politkovskaya murder awaited in
Russia, abroad - Lukin
MOSCOW. Oct 7 (Interfax) - A final and complete solution to the murder of
Novaya Gazeta reporter Anna Politkovskaya is a matter of crucial significance
for the government and for society, Russian human rights commissioner Vladimir
Lukin said.
"It is of crucial importance for the public and for the state to have this
murder cleared up," Lukin told Interfax on Sunday.
"Establishing the names of the organizers of the murder is the key thing,
which has yet to be done. Society, the country and the world public are awaiting
the final results of the investigation," he said.
"It was the murder of a person who symbolized sharp opposition and,
simultaneously, a keen sense of independence. An environment has formed in which
the government has a big stake in getting the issue cleared up," Lukin said.
"Society wants to know who stands behind the murder, because society must
know where the threat to journalists comes from. Where is it rooted? Is it a
series of separate events or a tendency? If it is a tendency, what is its cause?
These questions have yet to be answered," he said.
Law enforcement agencies have announced several arrests made in the
Politkovskaya murder case, he said. Anna Politkovskaya's relatives and Novaya
Gazeta editors agree with how the investigation is proceeding, which is
important," he added.
"One more question. Do investigative journalists feel any safer? It would be
premature to give an answer to this question. Thank God, nothing of this kind
has happened this year. But no vivid evidence is available thus far suggesting
that the situation is improving," Lukin said.
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