Investigators moved off Politkovskaya case-reports

MOSCOW , Sep 4 (Reuters) Top investigators looking into the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya have been pulled off the case following the release of two of 11 suspects named last week, Russian media reported today.

The contract-style shooting last October of Politkovskaya, an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin, provoked a storm of international condemnation, with critics accusing the Kremlin of failing to protect freedom of speech.

Tabloid newspaper Tvoi Den quoted an unnamed source close to the investigation as saying Prosecutor-General Yuri Chaika had removed the chief investigator and a specialist from the case.

In a separate report, RIA news agency quoted an investigation source confirming the newspaper story. ''Yes, indeed, the head of the investigative team on this case has been replaced,'' the agency quoted the source as saying.

Chaika said last week that Politkovskaya was killed by an organised crime group that included serving and former law enforcement officers. He said the crime was masterminded by anti-Kremlin forces abroad whose aim was to discredit Russia.

Later in the week police detained Pavel Ryaguzov, a lieutenant colonel in the Federal Security Service (FSB), bringing the number of suspects to 11. But yesterday the Moscow Military District Court ruled his arrest was unlawful.

Ryaguzov remains in custody pending an appeal. Two other suspects were released last week for a lack of evidence.

Her son, Ilya Politkovsky, said last week he welcomed the arrests but expressed concern Chaika could have jeopardised the investigation by making details public prematurely.

Contacted by Reuters today, the Prosecutor-General's office said it could not comment on the reports senior investigators had been changed.

Politkovskaya was shot dead as she got into the elevator in her apartment building.

REUTERS PD BST1453