U.S. Hails Courage Of Politkovskaya On Anniversary

Anna Politkovskaya was killed in 2006

The United States has paid tribute to former Russian investigative journalist and Kremlin critic Anna Politkovskaya on the sixth anniversary of her assassination.

In a statement, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland described Politkovskaya, who was gunned down in the entrance to her Moscow apartment building on October 7, 2006, as "a champion of human dignity."

Nuland said with her death, the "Russian people lost a voice that courageously sought to report the truth."

Politkovskaya's murder still remains unsolved but officials say the investigation is continuing.

Politkovskaya was known for her criticism of corruption in Russia, the war in Chechnya, and of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rule.

Concert Abroad

Tributes are being planned to honor Politkovskaya.

In Paris, Russie-Libertes, a Russian-language association in France, said it will mark the anniversary with a concert in Montreuil, a suburb of Paris.
PHOTO GALLERY: Remembering Anna Politkovskaya

Speaking on October 6 in a telephone interview with RFE/RL's Russian Service, Russie-Libertes coordinator Aleksei Prokopyev said the theme of the concert would be "freedom and human rights" in Russia.

"We want to draw the attention of the French public to what is happening in Russia now, to the fact that a protest movement has finally emerged but, because of the new laws, protesters have been arrested," Prokopyev said,
Meanwhile, in Russia human rights activists and journalists are expected to hold a demonstration in Moscow. Moscow city authorities have approved the holding of the demonstration.
Politkovskaya's death coincided with the birthday of Putin, who has dismissed her work as "insignificant" in Russia.
With reporting by ITAR-TASS and "The Moscow Times"