Murder Of Russian Journalist Raises High-Level Concern
(AP Photo)
Russian President Vladimir Putin broke his silence Monday about the brazen daylight murder of investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya, pledging the authorities would do everything to find the killers of the fierce Kremlin critic.
In a phone conversation with U.S. President George W. Bush, Putin pledged that "all necessary efforts will be made for an objective investigation into the tragic death" of the journalist, the Kremlin said.
Putin's remarks were his first statement on the slaying, since Politkovskaya, a 48-year-old award-winning reporter who uncovered abuses against civilians in Chechnya, was gunned down in her apartment building Saturday in an apparent contract killing.
Her newspaper has offered a million-dollar reward for information that would help solve the crime, which provoked worldwide condemnation and shone the spotlight on Russia as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists.
