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Russian activists face death threats

Some say the government is not doing enough to counter nationalist groups.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published October 12, 2006

MOSCOW - Internet postings are calling on Russian nationalists to kill government critics - death lists that underscore the dangers journalists and rights activists face in Russia.

Svetlana Gannushkina, a refugee rights activist, tops a list of 89 people published by a nationalist group, the Russian Will, which has urged "patriots" to take up arms and execute her and other friends of "alien" peoples.

"Since there is nothing I can do in this situation, I try not think about it," the soft-spoken, 64-year-old Gannushkina said.

Slain investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya was on such a list for her reporting on Chechnya and criticism of the Kremlin. Her slaying Saturday has cast a chill over human rights activists and journalists who criticize government policies and increasingly fear for their safety in a repressive climate.

Since President Vladimir Putin came to power nearly seven years ago, he has moved to silence critics, squeezing the opposition and tightening the screws on media critical of the Kremlin. He came under strong Western condemnation for a new law that severely limits the activities of nongovernmental organizations.

Prosecutors have linked Politkovskaya's slaying to her award-winning reports, fearlessly uncovering human rights abuses by government troops in war-ravaged Chechnya. She had been listed as one of 63 "nonfriends of Russia" by the nationalist group National Sovereign Party of Russia.

Chechen Prime Minister Ramzan Kadyrov, whose forces were accused of torture, abductions and murder by Politkovskaya, denied any role in her murder.

Some colleagues have suggested Politkovskaya could have died at the hands of Russian nationalists at a time when xenophobia is growing and hate crimes take place almost daily. Rights activists complain the government is doing little to combat the alarming trend.

"I am horrified at what happened with Anya," said Gannushkina, using Politkovskaya's nickname.

Gannushkina said she first learned in August of the Web site calling for her to be killed as an "advocate of alien migrants."

Gannushkina said she asked prosecutors to investigate the group's activities in August, but prosecutors have not launched an investigation.

Russian banker is apparent victim of contract killings

The head of a branch of a state-controlled bank was fatally shot in Moscow, officials said Wednesday, the latest in a series of apparent contract killings that have shaken Russia.

Alexander Plokhin, the director of a Vneshtorgbank branch, was shot once in the head by a gunman outside his apartment late Tuesday, NTV television reported. Plokhin, 58, was a former Moscow City Council member, it said.

Authorities are looking into whether the killing was connected to Plokhin's position, Deputy Moscow Prosecutor Vladimir Ponevezhsky said.

A series of slayings has underscored the atmosphere of lawlessness that persists in Russia 15 years after the Soviet collapse threw the country into chaos.

[Last modified October 12, 2006, 00:56:59]