7 October 2006
Journalist''s death to be probed by her own paper – Gorbachev
Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, a shareholder in the Russian semi-weekly Novaya Gazeta, said the paper would "undoubtedly" conduct its own investigation into the death of journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who worked for the paper and who was found shot dead on Saturday.
"It is a savage crime against a professional and serious journalist and a courageous woman. It is a blow to the entire democratic, independent press, it is a grave crime against the country, against all of us," Gorbachev told Interfax.
"Again there is somebody who wants to cast a shadow both on the leadership of the country and on the positive processes that are taking place in the North Caucasus," he said.
"Undoubtedly, the newspaper will carry out its own investigation," Gorbachev said. "I think we'll find the resources to remunerate those who will help the investigators," he said.
"Democracy and the free press need to be defended," said Gorbachev, who bought shares in Novaya Gazeta in summer 2006.
Interfax, 07.10.2006
