Nine persons are accused on Anna Politkovskaya's case

Currently, there are nine persons accused in the murder case of the observer of the "Novaya Gazeta" Anna Politkovskaya, Public Prosecutor Vyacheslav Smirnov has informed during consideration at the Moscow City Court of a complaint against arrest of one of the defendants.

Three Makhmudov brothers are accused on the case of Anna Politkovskaya's murder. Mr Smirnov has explained that on the day of murder of the journalist Dzhabrail Makhmudov used his car to trace Politkovskaya.

As to Dzhabrail Makhmudov himself, he rejects his involvement in the crime and lodged a cassation petition to this end, claiming to recognize his arrest to be illegal. However, as the "City-FM" Radio broadcasts, the court has rejected the complaint of Makhmudov's defence.

"I find this crime as an extremely vile one. Firstly, a woman was murdered, secondly, she was a journalist who by risking her life protected the rights of people in my homeland," Makhmudov has stated today in the courtroom.

Besides, a source close to the investigation has informed the RIA "Novosti" that within the criminal case charges have been presented to Pavel Ryaguzov, lieutenant colonel of the FSB (Federal Security Bureau). Mr Ryaguzov is indicted of transferring to Shamil Buraev, former head of the administration of the Achkhoi-Martan District of Chechnya, information about Poltkovskaya's residence. The source has added that the lieutenant colonel was presented charges under Article 285 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (excess of official powers).