Izvestiya
October 11, 2006
Report by Sergey Teplyakov: "Murder Theories: Contract
>From Abroad or Revenge for Chechnya"
Officially the law enforcement agencies are trying not to comment on theories about Anna Politkovskaya's murder. On the first day General Prosecutor's Office staffers declared that Politkovskaya's death was undoubtedly linked to her professional activities. They have said no more than that. Meanwhile, people are constructing all sorts theories.
The main theories can be divided into two groups: political theories, involving an attempt to destabilize the situation in the country and to "adjust" the country's image in the international arena; and "Chechen connection" theories, directly linked to the journalist's published work.
The political theory assumes that a contract for Politkovskaya's elimination was taken out abroad. was the first to note this theory. Yesterday (10 October) a similar assumption was made by Putin, speaking in Dresden. Exploring this theory, one immediately encounters the names of Boris Berezovskiy and Leonid Nevzlin -- the best-known of the people whose extradition Russia is seeking. Both men will probably have to spend a lot longer in foreign courts trying to prove why they should not be sent back to Russia. And maintaining Russia's image as a state where people are shot in the head for their democratic convictions is a prime objective for them.
"A revolution in Russia would certainly be beneficial to me," Berezovskiy admitted when we telephoned him in London. "But all my actions are within the law. Especially given that, as far as destabilizing the situation in Russia is concerned, I don't have to try to keep up with the current Russian authorities. My relations with Anna Politkovskaya were complex. At first she directly accused me of having started the war in Chechnya. But then she figured out the situation, and the accusations against me were withdrawn. realized that Anna's work was dangerous, but I did not try to teach her. Everyone chooses his own risks. It was pointless to try to stop her."
However, it has to be admitted that an "adjustment" to the country's image is in the interests not only of the two men named. Apart from them, Russia is also seeking the extradition of ordinary criminals, who often cite persecution on political grounds when appearing in foreign courts.
The Chechen theory has been mentioned by virtually all the media. Including. The theory has two components: Politkovskaya could have been killed either by supporters of Kadyrov, or by zealous foes of his. It is curious that, as reported earlier, the leadership was intending to redirect Politkovskaya from Chechen topics to other issues. Was this the reason for her death? It is no secret that Politkovskaya had sources in Chechnya that provided her with information. Information of a particular kind -- information that undermined the prestige of the federal forces and of the Chechen administration. Conceivably, these people found out that Politkovskaya was going to be transferred from Chechen issues. She would become useless to them, or, conceivably, dangerous because of what she knew. Or did these people decide that being killed was the last service that Politkovskaya could do them in this situation?
However, many people also do not rule out the possibility that the journalist's shooting was revenge by servicemen who had served in Chechnya. It is no secret that Politkovskaya's writings caused major irritation among officers. We cannot rule out the possibility that Anna Politkovskaya was "sentenced" in the patriotic clubs and circles frequented by former officers. Anna's former colleagues also do not rule out such a possibility.
"Something like that is possible," military columnist Vyacheslav Izmaylov told. "I too have heard about such secret societies of 'saviors of Russia.'"
A few years ago an officer even threatened to kill Politkovskaya. In 2001 Anna published an article about the disappearance in Groznyy of a certain Zelimkhan Murdalov. Politkovskaya began receiving threatening emails.
"Someone nicknamed Kadet promised to buy a sniper rifle and shoot Anna dead," Chief Editor Dmitriy Muratov says. "At that time Anna went to the police and she was given protection."
The protection was withdrawn two weeks later, when Kadet was found. He turned out to be Senior Lieutenant Sergey Lapin of the Khanty-Mansiysk OMON (Special-Purpose Police Detachment), who was sentenced to 11 years for Murdalov's abduction.
Motives, Beneficiaries of Politkovskaya Murder Suggested; Berezovskiy Mentioned
Rossiyskaya Gazeta October 11, 2006 Report by Natalya Kozlova: "A Trace Near the Entrance. The Prosecutor's Office Is Considering a 'Professional' Theory"
The evidence found on Lesnaya Street was a standard set in a contract crime: bullet cases, an abandoned weapon with a filed off serial number, and a glove to prevent disclosure of fingerprints. Nor were there any particular differences in theories voiced.
A domestic theory, whereby the murder was ordered by relatives, was cast off practically immediately. So was a commercial one: Politkovskaya pursued her cause not for money but for the idea. Her friends and enemies knew it. The only theory left is a professional one. She was killed for her work. It remains to be found out by whom and for what work.
The timing of killing is significant: shortly after Kadyrov's and on the president's birthday. According to the perpetrators' plan, society was supposed to notice it immediately because Politkovskaya negatively commented on actions of the authorities and the current situation in Chechnya.
But then she had criticized both the central and Chechen authorities for years. Why is it specifically now, with the absence of very serious reasons, that they have made this decision?
Who benefits from the death of a prominent journalist? At this point, one can point to two players, as it were, who can reap "maximum dividends" from this tragedy.
One is Boris Abramovich Berezovskiy. This man does not have any friends or sympathies in principle. He is ready to step over anyone if it is favorable and required for his goals at a specific stage of his fight. This stage is already discernible. Russia has elections ahead. There is a problem, though: In a country whose authorities are not acceptable for Berezovskiy, the situation has been developing quite well of late. The state has money, something has been done for people all the time, the "Georgian" moves by the government and president sometimes cause grumbling in certain albeit few circles but an absolute majority of the population views them with full approval, if not with extreme enthusiasm.
If the London inmate has something to do with the journalist's murder, her death is very advantageous for him. It is almost sure to provoke grumbling in Russia and an explicitly negative reaction in the world. It will give reason to criticize the Russian authorities for the death of a journalist opposed to them. In addition, Berezovskiy, himself or through Zakayev, might have found out what Politkovskaya was working on and simply chosen a convenient date.
The other possible theory is somewhat exotic but also has the right to exist. The gambling business in the capital city was straightened out incredibly quickly and toughly. It involves big money that can do everything. The authorities made order with roulettes, which means that officials and police "friendly" to gambling establishments can do nothing for any money to help them. Those who provided "political cover" or resolved casinos' problems for cash simply threw up their hands because they have no power to circumvent a decision made by the top authorities. The gambling underworld could have reasoned primitively. If its problems are because of the authorities, we should create a problem for the authorities. The death of a prominent journalist such as Politkovskaya is a very big headache for the authorities. Finding a perpetrator in the area around the gambling business is not a problem. But if the latter theory makes some sense, chances are high that this crime will remain unresolved. In this case, Politkovskaya was killed simply for her image as an uncompromising critic of the authorities.
Lyubo, bratsy, lyubo, lyubo, bratsy, zhit!
ËÞÁÎ, ÁÐÀÒÖÛ, ËÞÁÎ, ËÞÁÎ, ÁÐÀÒÖÛ, ÆÈÒÜ!
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com