NYT/AP: Russian Journalist Found Dead

[DeepModem Mom]

Russian Journalist Found Dead
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 7, 2006

MOSCOW (AP) -- A Russian journalist known for her critical coverage of the war in Chechnya was shot to death Saturday in the capital, police said.

Anna Politkovskaya's body was found in an elevator in an apartment building, a duty officer at a central Moscow police station told The Associated Press. A pistol and four bullets were found in the elevator, the Interfax news agency reported, citing police officials.

Politkovskaya was respected for her critical, in-depth coverage of the Russian government campaign in Chechnya.

In 2004, she fell seriously ill with symptoms of food poisoning after drinking tea on a flight from Moscow to southern Russia during the school hostage crisis in Beslan. At the time, her colleagues suspected it was an attempt on her life.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Russia-Journalist-Killed.html?hp&ex=1160280000&en=f6f5fb652a615463&ei=5094&partner=homepage

NYT/Reuters: War Reporter Found Shot Dead in Moscow

....Politkovskaya, a mother of two, was well-known for exposing rights abuses by Russian troops and remained critical of Moscow's campaign despite intense government pressure.

Her war reporting often meant she was under scrutiny by Russian politicians and, sometimes, the security services. She had been arrested and complained of sometimes being threatened....

Politkovskaya, who worked for Novaya Gazeta -- a newspaper known for its opposition to the Kremlin -- acted as a negotiator with Chechen rebels who laid siege to a Moscow theater in 2002....

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-russia-murder.html

[librechik]

1. watch your back, Amy Goodman

and god bless Anna and her 2 kids,

whata a tragedy.

[aquart]

2. What a murder.

[Straight Shooter]

3. BBC has excellent coverage of this courageous remarkable woman.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5416218.stm


Ms Politkovskaya, who worked for the newspaper Novaya Gazeta, was known for exposing rights abuses by Russian troops in Chechnya.




In an interview two years ago with the BBC, Ms Politkovskaya said she believed it was her duty to continue reporting, despite receiving such death threats.

"I am absolutely sure that risk is usual part of my job; job of Russian journalist, and I cannot stop because it's my duty," she said.

"I think the duty of doctors is to give health to their patients, the duty of the singer to sing. The duty of journalist to write what this journalist sees in the reality. It's only one duty."

Rest in peace, Ms. Politkovskaya.

[DeepModem Mom]

4. Thank you for adding this article to the thread. nt

[Straight Shooter]

9. You're welcome.

I'm surprised this hasn't gotten more attention on DU. It is a major event considering the state of journalism in the world today. This woman took on the really bad guys and paid for it with her life. :(

[Ellen Forradalom]

8. Hear that, Fox News?

Hear that, American media?

Look into it.

[ConcernedCanuk]

12. "Hear that, Fox News?, American media? Look into it." - sorry - no go

.
.
.

It'll never happen

CAPITALISM

That means it's all about money

And that's the USA . .

[babylonsister]

5. Watch your back, Keith.

:scared:

[Scairp]

6. Shades of Veronica Guerin

She too paid for doing her job with her life. Most of the time I have no use for reporters, but women (and men) like these two are to be commended.

[leveymg]

7. Give it 3-5 more years of Bus-GOP rule

Here's the future, if the Bushite monkeys aren't ALL indicted, soon.

[BreweryYardRat]

10. Charming.

Fuck Putin and his fascist stooges. You do not take out a hit on someone for criticizing the government.

[dougkeenan]

11. State Department on murder of Politkovskaya

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/73739.htm

Press Statement
Sean McCormack
Washington, DC
October 7, 2006

Russia: Murder of Journalist Anna Politkovskaya

The United States is shocked and profoundly saddened by the brutal murder of independent Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was killed today in her Moscow apartment building. A highly respected and tireless investigative reporter and author, as well as the mother of two children, Politkovskaya devoted much of her career to shining a light on human rights abuses and other atrocities of the war in Chechnya and the plight of Chechen refugees. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family.

Personally courageous and committed to seeking justice even in the face of previous death threats, Politkovskaya was the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Civil Courage Prize by the Trustees of the Northcote Parkinson Fund in 2005, the Courage in Journalism Award from the International Women’s Media Foundation in 2002, the Golden Pen Award from the Russian Union of Journalists in 2000, the Prize for Journalism and Democracy from the OSCE, as well as awards from the Overseas Press Club and Amnesty International.

The United States urges the Russian government to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation in order to find, prosecute, and bring to justice all those responsible for this heinous murder. The intimidation and murder of journalists -- 12 in Russia in the past six years, including American citizen Paul Klebnikov on July 9, 2004 -- is an affront to free and independent media and to democratic values.

2006/900

Released on October 7, 2006

[Thickasabrick]

13. Since she was also a US citizen, I really hope our government

keeps up the pressure for an investigation that nets results. This really sucks and so far Putin has said "squat" about it.

[dougkeenan]

14. President Bush's Statement on the Murder of Russian Journalist

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/10/20061008.html

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 8, 2006

President Bush's Statement on the Murder of Russian Journalist Anna Politkovskaya

Like many Russians, Americans were shocked and saddened by the brutal murder of Anna Politkovskaya, a fearless investigative journalist, highly respected in both Russia and the United States. We extend our sympathy and prayers to her family and her friends.

Born in the United States to Soviet diplomats, Anna Politkovskaya cared deeply about her country. Through her efforts to shine a light on human rights abuses and corruption, especially in Chechnya, she challenged her fellow Russians - and, indeed, all of us - to summon the courage and will, as individuals and societies, to struggle against evil and rectify injustices.

We urge the Russian Government to conduct a vigorous and thorough investigation to bring to justice those responsible for her murder.

[slaveplanet]

15. I heard the day she was murdered

also happens to be Putin's birthday.

Sick bastards.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

16. Small planes. Bullets.

At least America has imagination.