Press Release, 7.10.2025

Photo: Kirill Goncharov, Ivan Bolshakov and Nikolai Rybakov lay flowers at the memorial plaque at the entrance where Anna Politkovskaya was killed / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service

7 October is a tragic date for Russian journalists, human rights defenders, activists and politicians — the date of the murder of Anna Politkovskaya, a symbol of Russian freedom of speech. On this day 19 years ago, Anna was shot dead outside her home in Moscow on Lesnaya Street. Yabloko members came here today — Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov, head of the Yabloko Analytical Centre Ivan Bolshakov and Deputy Chairman of Moscow Yabloko Kirill Goncharov. They honoured Anna Politkovskaya’s memory by laying flowers and observing a minute’s silence.

Nikolai Rybakov recalled that Anna was known for her sharp and honest reports on military action in Chechnya, corruption in Russia, fought against kidnappings and torture, and criticised Vladimir Putin’s policies from the first day he came to power. In addition, she participated in negotiations during the hostage-taking at the Dubrovka theatre centre in 2002 and was poisoned on the way to Beslan where a whole school was taken hostages on 1 September 2004, and where she was heading in the hope of saving children.

“Six perpetrators were convicted in the case of her murder, one of whom was pardoned by Vladimir Putin two years ago for participation in the special military operation, whilst the person who ordered the crime has still not been identified,” Nikolai Rybakov reminded. “But someday, I promise, the truth will be established. Because Anna Politkovskaya’s cause continues in everyone who does not remain silent about lawlessness. Her murder failed to stop the struggle she began.”

Those who committed this terrible crime were frightened by the power of Politkovskaya’s pen and living word, believes Yabloko party Analytical Centre head Ivan Bolshakov: “Today we not only remember Anna Politkovskaya as a journalist and citizen, but also pay tribute to the struggle for freedom of speech, human rights and dignity.”

Moscow Yabloko Deputy Chairman Kirill Goncharov adds that it is no secret to anyone that Anna Politkovskaya’s murder was an exclusively political crime. “Therefore, it is especially important not only to remember this terrible tragedy, but also to do everything to ensure it is not repeated,” Goncharov believes.