Russia: a murder goes unpunished

How long will Russia go on with letting its journalists suffer fear of being killed as freedom of the press is still proven to be suffocated within its shores? It has just been reported that the three men who were charged of the murder of the Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya in October 2006, have been exonerated.

MS Politkovskaya who was shot dead, was determined to showcase human rights abuses while her journalistic work was a living campaign of her accusations on the Russian government’s corruption.

How can anyone believe that some people could walk away without having to face a proper sentence after someone’s blood was spilled without retribution? It is no wonder that Alex Rossi, a Sky News correspondent in Russia reported that “the verdict was an embarrassing defeat for prosecutors.”

Dzhabrail, Ibragim Makhmudov and Sergei Khadzhikurbanov, who were allegedly accused of participating in the “contract-style killing” two years ago, walked free of charge after today’s verdict.

It is believed that MS Politkovskaya’ severe reports on the Kremlin’s policy treatment in Chechnya, was a possible set off of her death. MS Politkovskaya was also known to be one of the most radical critics of Vladamir Putin, the former Russian President who was the leader of the Kremlin government at the time.

Although we heard so many times of several mysterious deaths of key critics of the President Putin in and outside Russia, there seems to be no justice nor has anyone been able to put their finger on dirty Russian murders. Especially when this is regarding individuals who died just when they were striving to release vital information. The sad thing is that their truth revealed could have exposed the face of the man operating from the dark.

One could suddenly look back and remember that in November 2006 Alexander Litvinenko, who was a former KGB officer died of poisoning in a London’s hospital. But could anyone tell us whether of not there is any difference between dying from being shot dead in front of one’s apartment or dying from a slow and painful death after being poisoned? The answer is pretty much clear. A murder is a murder, isn’t it?

More than Hundred People Killed in Australia Bush Fire

It is not just the number of people who died in the bush fire in South East Australia that comes as shocking news. Rather it is hard to believe that there are still on earth people with hearts in stone.

It is believed that the blaze which started on Saturday February 7 was triggered by some so-called ‘alleged arsonists’ who reignited the fire after it was turned down by fire-fighters in the first round. Earlier this morning death toll reached 108 people. The wreckage this destructive fire has left behind is massive. There are completely burnt out houses and mostly family in agony some due to the loss of their loved ones and others are simply going through excruciating pain while lying in hospital.

It is no wonder Julia Gillard, Australia Deputy Prime Minister told the BBC News Channel that this is ‘a national disaster’. The Queen of England, Elizabeth II has sent her ‘deep condolences’ to Australia and she has expressed her sympathy to victims stressing out that this incident is a ‘terrible distress ever in the wildlife history.’

Meanwhile, it can only feel appropriate to take off our hat to brave fire-fighters as they keep on working under severe pressure to bring the fire under control. In fact, isn’t it amazing that we often take for granted that fire-fighters constantly risk their very lives in order to save others who are trapped in deadly furnace such as that of the Australian Bush fire?