President Vladimir V. Putin has pardoned one of the convicted organizers of the murder of the journalist Anna Politkovskaya in return for his service in Ukraine, his lawyer said on Tuesday, the latest in a series of such reprieves for high-profile criminals in Russia.
Her murder caused shock waves in Russia and abroad as it highlighted the growing dangers of anti-Kremlin reporting in the country.
The news of Mr. Khadzhikurbanov’s pardon was first reported by Baza, a Russian news outlet, and RBC, a Russian business daily.
Mr. Mikhalchik said that he did not know when the decree had been signed.
Activists said this year that the Russian government had started a mass campaign to pardon convicts in return for fighting in Ukraine.
Persons:
Vladimir V, Putin, Anna Politkovskaya, Sergei G, Ms, Politkovskaya, Aleksei V, Mikhalchik, Khadzhikurbanov’s, Baza
Organizations:
Mr, RBC, Activists
Locations:
Ukraine, Russia, Chechnya, Moscow, Russian