Search begins for alleged Politkovskaya executioner

Russia's Prosecutor General's office has issued an international arrest warrant for the suspected murderer of Russian investigative journalist, Anna Politkovskaya. Rustam Makhmudov has been charged in abstentia with the murder.

It’s the first time Makhmudov’s name has officially been released by authorities.

Born in the capital of the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzia, it’s thought he also lived in the Chechen Republic.

Earlier, two of nine suspects in the case were released under curfew. The decision was announced during the Moscow City Court proceeding.

A spokesman for the Prosecutor General’s Office said that a measure of restraint was shown for Magomed Demelkhanov since he “didn’t take an active part in the crime”. Still, he remains a defendant in the case.

The change of restrictions against Dmitry Grachev, who was also released after signing a guarantee that he will not abscond, was based on the same reasons.

Anna Politkovskaya, who was working for the newspaper Novaya Gazeta, was gunned down on October 7, 2006 near her apartment in Moscow.

The case was taken under the personal control of Russia's Prosecutor General.

Investigators believe her journalistic work was the main reason behind the murder.