A top Russian criminal investigator says the major goal in the murder of prominent journalist Anna Politkovskaya was to intimidate society.
The Investigative Committee's Petros Garibyan made the comment in an interview published on November 9 in the "Kommersant" weekly.
He said the masterminds needed "a high-profile action to frighten you, journalists, as well as the society and authorities."
Garibyan added that Politkovskaya's murder was also connected with her professional activities.
He said the organizers spent $150,000 for the assassination.
Politkovskaya was shot dead in the hallway of her Moscow apartment building on October 7, 2006.
Last month, the official investigation was closed and five suspects were charged in connection with the murder.
Politkovskaya was known for her strong criticism of Russia's war in Chechnya and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Investigative Committee's Petros Garibyan made the comment in an interview published on November 9 in the "Kommersant" weekly.
He said the masterminds needed "a high-profile action to frighten you, journalists, as well as the society and authorities."
Garibyan added that Politkovskaya's murder was also connected with her professional activities.
He said the organizers spent $150,000 for the assassination.
Politkovskaya was shot dead in the hallway of her Moscow apartment building on October 7, 2006.
Last month, the official investigation was closed and five suspects were charged in connection with the murder.
Politkovskaya was known for her strong criticism of Russia's war in Chechnya and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
