Politkovskaya murder case: perpetrator released for war mission
Around 17 years after the murder of the Kremlin-critical journalist Anna Politkovskaya, one of the convicted perpetrators has been released early from prison in Russia - in return for military service in Ukraine. This was confirmed by the lawyer of the man who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2014, according to an article on the news portal RBK. According to the Telegram channel Baza, the former police officer was already fighting in Ukraine at the end of 2022. After six months, he is said to have extended his contract with the Ministry of Defense. It is not known exactly where he is currently deployed.
Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of the renowned newspaper "Novaya Gazeta", for which Politkovskaya wrote at the time and which has since been banned in Russia in the wake of the war of aggression against Ukraine, also commented on the case. "The rights of the victims are systematically disregarded by the state," the 62-year-old, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021, told the internet medium "Ostoroshno Media". The offender was originally not due to be released from prison until 2034.
Atoning with "blood on the battlefield"
In recent weeks, cases have repeatedly caused a stir in Russia in which some serious criminals have been pardoned by President Vladimir Putin so that they can go to war against neighboring Ukraine. The Kremlin defends the controversial recruitment practice as a way for those convicted to atone for their crimes through "blood on the battlefield".
Politkovskaya was shot dead outside her apartment in Moscow in October 2006. Several men from the Russian republic of Chechnya in the North Caucasus were convicted of the assassination, which attracted worldwide attention. The man who has now been released is said to have had the journalist, who was highly regarded for her critical reporting on Chechnya, followed before she was killed. Politkovskaya's family suspects a political motive behind the murder and is still demanding a full investigation.
- The release of a convicted perpetrator in the Politkovskaya murder case, who was sentenced for his involvement in the journalist's assassination, has stirred up controversy, as he is now serving in Ukraine's war effort in exchange for an early release from prison.
- The practice of pardoning serious criminals in Russia and sending them to fight in Ukraine's war against neighboring countries has been defended by the Kremlin as a means for individuals to atone for their crimes through "blood on the battlefield."
- In the aftermath of Anna Politkovskaya's murder in 2006, which attracted worldwide attention due to her critical reporting on Chechnya, her family continues to demand a full investigation, suspecting a political motive behind her death.
Source: www.dpa.com
