Politkovskaya, Klebnikov murders linked-prosecutor

MOSCOW, Aug 27 (Reuters) The group suspected of killing journalist Anna Politkovskaya may also have been linked to the 2004 murder of U.S. reporter Paul Klebnikov, Prosecutor-General Yuri Chaika said today.

Chaika said the group suspected of killing Politkovskaya was led by an ethnic Chechen organised crime boss and included serving law enforcement officers.

''The group was headed by a leader of a Moscow criminal group of Chechen origin,'' Chaika told a news briefing. ''We have evidence that this group took part in the killing of Paul Klebnikov ... Unfortunately, this group included retired and acting interior ministry and FSB (Federal Security Service) officers.'' Reuters RAR KP1800