Activists mark Russian journalist's death; others celebrate Putin's birthday
posted by zaina19 on October, 2007 as Human Rights
From: MSN NicknameEagle_wng (Original Message) Sent: 10/15/2007 1:18 AM Activists mark Russian journalist's death; others celebrate Putin's birthday
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Published Sunday October 7th, 2007
Reporter Anna Politkovskaya attends a rally against war in Chechnya in downtown Moscow, seen in this October 2004 file photo. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Fyodor Savintse Reporter Anna Politkovskaya attends a rally against war in Chechnya in downtown Moscow, seen in this October 2004 file photo. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/ Fyodor Savintse
MOSCOW - Activists marked the first anniversary of journalist Anna Politkovskaya's slaying Sunday while across town, pro-Kremlin youth thronged a Moscow embankment to celebrate President Vladimir Putin's 55th birthday.
About 1,000 opposition activists paid tribute to Politkovskaya, a Kremlin critic who won international acclaim for her reporting about wartime abuses in Chechnya and whose contract-style killing fuelled western concerns about Russia backsliding on democracy.
Meanwhile some 10,000 members of the youth group Nashi - wearing T-shirts emblazoned with Putin's portrait - chanted "Happy Birthday!" and carried signs bearing slogans such as "Putin is our everything!" and "Putin is our future!" It was a show eerily reminiscent of Soviet-era parades.
The celebrations come as Russia prepares for parliamentary elections in which Putin would top the list of the main pro-Kremlin party - a manoeuvre that could pave way for his return as prime minister after his second and final presidential term ends next spring.
The Kremlin issued no statement Sunday on Politkovskaya's death and has been dismissive of activists' concerns in the past.
In the days after Politkovskaya's death, Putin said the journalist wielded little influence with her reports and that her killing hurt the Russian government much more than her writing.
Russia's chief prosecutor announced in August that 10 suspects had been arrested. He said her murder had been ordered by someone outside the country to discredit Putin and to destabilize Russia, echoing officials' earlier claims.
"I'm afraid that Politkovskaya's murder will never be solved," said Svetlana Gannushkina, head of the non-governmental Civic Assistance Committee.
Politkovskaya was the 13th journalist slain in a contract-style killing in Russia since Putin took office in 2000, the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists said.
Acknowledgement: All available information and documents in "Justice For North Caucasus Group" is provided for the "fair use". There should be no intention for ill-usage of any sort of any published item for commercial purposes and in any way or form. JFNC is a nonprofit group and has no intentions for the distribution of information for commercial or advantageous gain. At the same time consideration is ascertained that all different visions, beliefs, presentations and opinions will be presented to visitors and readers of all message boards of this site. Providing, furnishing, posting and publishing the information of all sources is considered a right to freedom of opinion, speech, expression, and information while at the same time does not necessarily reflect, represent, constitute, or comprise the stand or the opinion of this group. If you have any concerns contact us directly at:
eagle@JusticeForNorthCaucasus.com
