Ralph Lysyshyn, Canadian Ambassador to Russia
The Embassy of Canada
23 Starokonyushenny Pereulok
Moscow, Russia
119002

October 10, 2006

Dear Ambassador Lysyshyn,

I am writing on behalf of Canadian Journalists For Free Expression (CJFE), a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to promote and protect press freedom and freedom of expression around the world.

CJFE is appalled at the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was killed on Saturday, October 7 from a gun shot wound. It was revealed that Ms. Politkovskaya was shot execution-style and her body was found in the elevator of her apartment block in central Moscow. According to Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika, investigators were considering Ms. Politkovskaya's work as the primary motive behind her murder.

Ms. Politkovskaya worked as a columnist for the Novaya Gazeta and was an award winning author who worked tirelessly to expose information about the Chechen conflict and the Putin administration. She recently published a book titled "Putin's Russia". Ms. Politkovskaya has negotiated the release of hostages on several occasions and supported the legal rights for victims' families. Because of her work, she received many death threats. In 2004, on her flight to Beslan, she was allegedly poisoned in an attempt to stop her from covering the hostage situation there.

Since President Putin took office in 2000, 13 journalists have been killed. No one has been brought to justice for these killings.

CJFE is deeply concerned by the killing of Ms. Politkovskaya.. We demand an immediate and independent investigation into Ms. Politkovskaya's death and the circumstances that led to this horrible tragedy. CJFE asks that the Canadian government use all diplomatic channels available to them to urge the government of Russia to allow the participation of international investigators and ensure that the murderer or murderers are brought to justice.

I look forward to receiving your prompt reply.

Yours truly,

Arnold Amber, President

Cc: Mamedov Georgiy Enverovich, Russian Ambassador to Canada