FSB colonel and foreigner are suspects on case of murder of Anna Politkovskaya

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The Russian prosecution will seek extradition of a contractor of murder of reporter Anna Politkovskaya, Russian Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika announced at a news conference today; however, he declined to name the suspect. It was announced that the contractor is now abroad. Politkovskaya, according to the prosecutor general, was acquainted with the contractor.

Ten persons were arrested on the case, including the executor. According to Chaika, a Moscow criminal group led by a man of Chechen origin was involved in the assassination of the Novaya Gazeta reporter. The prosecutor general added that the trial of the suspects will not start soon; the investigation is in its initial stage now. A Federal Security Service (FSB) officer was detained during the investigation. As the chief of the FSB internal security department Alexander Kupryazhkin told reporters, officer of FSB Department for Moscow and Moscow Region Lt. Col. Pavel Ryaguzov was detained on August 21 and later taken in custody. He had been on suspicion by the FSB internal security department. According to Alexander Kupryazhkin, the FSB lieutenant-colonel was suspected in extortion and exceeding his commission.

From August 15 to 23, law enforcers detained ten persons on the case. On August 27, Basmanny District Court in Moscow sanctioned their arrests.

Anna Politkovskaya was killed on October 7, 2006, in apartment blocks where she rented a flat. The investigation of her assassination was taken under control by Russian Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika.