23:21, 1 February 2007

Putin waits for trial on Politkovskaya's murder case

"Anna Politkovskaya was a sharp critic of the authorities, and it is nice," president of Russia Vladimir Putin has declared today in the Kremlin.

"Who stands behind these murders - this can be said by the investigation only, and even moreover, by the court only, because it is necessary to weigh up all the pros and contras: both the reasons of advocates and reasons of prosecutors," Putin marked, speaking about the murders of journalist Politkovskaya and ex-FSB colonel Litvinenko.

"We'll do everything possible to protect the journalists' corps. I recollect not only Anna Politkovskaya - she was a rather sharp critic of the authorities - and it was nice. I also recollect other journalists, including Paul Khlebnikov. Recently, one of our partners has said very correct words: "Paul Khlebnikov perished for democratic Russia." I completely agree with this idea," the head of the Russian Federation said.

Author: Vyacheslav Feraposhkin, CK correspondent