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Investigative Com surprised at statement about Politkovskaya case

Results of phonoscopic examinations and an analysis of telephone talks are needed to confirm the evidence of Pavlyuchenkov and witnesses

MOSCOW, April 16 (Itar-Tass) —— The Russian Investigative Committee (SK) has expressed indignation at the Russian Interior Ministry’s statement about the close completion of the investigation into the murder of Novaya Gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya.

In connection with the information given to media by an official of the Interior Ministry's Main Criminal Investigation Department about the criminal case into the murder of Politkovskaya, the Investigative Committee states that the investigation into the case is conducted by an investigator of the SK's main department, who has not given any permission to publish such information, SK official spokesman Vladimir Markin told Itar-Tass.

Under the Russian law, all statements about investigations conducted by the Investigative Committee may be given only by the investigative authorities or with their consent.

Other information appearing in media, including that referring to officials of other law-enforcement authorities may be untrue. The Interior Ministry official's comments, containing assessment of the proof and some conclusions, arouse indignation.

It should be noted that the official has no powers in the investigation into the case, and therefore has no information to draw objective conclusions, Markin added.

The SK spokesman said the in the investigation, evidence of former Moscow police department officer Dmitry Pavlyuchenkov and other witnesses was being checked to prevent unlawful prosecution of somebody.

It is not reasonable at present to talk about the time to complete the investigation. It is connected with the objective need to do a lot of investigation work, including a number of expert examinations.

Results of phonoscopic examinations and an analysis of telephone talks are needed to confirm the evidence of Pavlyuchenkov and witnesses, Markin noted.

Thus, when the proof is compared with the earlier received information and all is analyzed together, the investigators can confirm or deny the involvement of some persons in the murder of Politkovskaya, he added.