Anna Politkovskaya’s murder: Makarov could be placed stealthily (Izh Pistol)

Regnum ^ | 9/10/2006 | Regnum

[GarySpFc]

Novaya Gazeta newspaper reporter Anna Politkovskaya was shot from an Izh gun and not from Makarov pistol; Kommersant informs.

Murder used the Izh with silencer; that is why; Politkovskaya’s neighbors did not hear reports. The murder fired point-blank three times: two times deadly on her heart and the third time on her shoulder. The fourth shot, made at head of the already dead woman, was a control one. The murder threw his pistol, whose serial number was filed down, near the victim’s body.

As RG newspaper stresses, version, according to which the journalist was killed from another weapon and the pistol was purposefully stealthily placed in order to complicate investigation, may not be excluded until experts examine the case.

Mrs. Politkovskaya was killed on October 7 at 04:10 p.m. in entrance of house in Lesnaya St., where she rented an apartment. A neighbor, who discovered body of the journalist five minutes later, called police. Criminal proceedings on charge with “murder of person in connection with fulfilling his/her professional duties or civic duty” are brought in accordance with Russian Criminal Codex.

Burial will take place on October 10 at Troyekurovo cemetery in Moscow.

Current special issue of Novaya Gazeta is devoted to Anna Politkovskaya. Excerpts from her articles about the situation with human rights both in the whole country and in separate regions are presented there.

[Freelance Warrior]

Regnum is definitely short of good Russian-English translators.

[monday]

From Wikipedia: "Politkovskaya was found shot dead on Saturday, 7 October 2006 in the lift of her apartment block in central Moscow, Interfax and other Russian news agencies reported.[3][4][5][6] Police said a Makarov pistol and four shell casings were found beside her. Early reports have indicated a contract killing, as she was shot twice, once in the head, but it is currently unclear who ordered the killing.

On the day of her murder, Politkovskaya had planned to file a lengthy story on torture practices believed to be used by Chechen authorities, Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry Muratov said. Those accused in the story of practicing torture belong to security detachments loyal to Chechnya's pro-Moscow Prime Minister Ramzan Kadyrov, Muratov said. The detachments are known as kadyrovtsy. Now the story may never be published. What's more, Muratov said, two photographs of the suspected torturers have disappeared. Prosecutor General Yury Chaika will personally oversee the investigation, his office announced Sunday. Chaika's office said investigators were considering Politkovskaya's professional work as the primary motive for her murder. Billionaire State Duma deputy Alexander Lebedev, who bought 90 percent of Novaya Gazeta in June 2006, has posted a reward of 25 million rubles, just under US$1 million, for information leading to those responsible for Politkovskaya's death, Ekho Moskvy reported. The funeral is set to be held Tuesday, 10 October, at 2:30 p.m., at the Troyekurovsky Cemetery.[7]"

[GarySpFc]

The first articles stated it was a Makraov pistol, but Politkovskaya's newspaper is now saying it was a Izh pistol with a silencer. Silencers are more effective when used with low velocity pistols, which makes the Izh pistol he more likely of the two.

[GarySpFc]

Ping

[Freelance Warrior]

The Russian media report that was either an "Izh" pistol or an altered tear-gas pistol (the last one could also be an Izh).

If the pistol was taken for PM this may think that is one of Izh (Baikal) produced pistols of this design for different ammo and purpose.

Like:

1. Tear-gas pistol Izh-79

2. Rubber bullet version , fires also tear gas ammo Izh-79-9Ò

3. A version for security agencies, fires weaker 0.380ACP

4. Export-only Baikal-442

As anyone can see, the 4 version can be mixed up easily.

[Freelance Warrior]

The third one is Izh-71.

[GarySpFc]

The Izh-71 makes more sense, because in another paper I read the cartages were 9mm. The .380 is also known as a 9mm short. The low velocity of the round would be ideal for a silencer. I have a Walther PPK, which is .380 caliber.

[TXnMA]

The .380 ACP, the Makarov, and 9mm Luger (Parabellum) are all 9mm cartridges:

9 X 17 = .380 ACP

9 X 18 = Makarov

9 X 19 = "9mm" or Luger/Parabellum

~~~~~~

The ballistic difference is in case length (powder capacity)

[Freelance Warrior]

The rubber bullet variant and the tear gas one could be altered to fire 9mm cartridges. That is routinely done by criminals in Russia and such weapon was used in the recent murder of Mr.Kozlov, deputy Central Bank chairman.

[struwwelpeter]

There was an amazing traveling Izh-70 at the theater in Moscow that was taken over by terrorists:


The statement reads:

Federal Security Service
of the Russian Federation
Moscow city and district directorate

From the directorate chief for investigating banditism and murder for the city of Moscow, senior justice advisor R.B. Ibragimov

In the course of performing a review of separate investigations actions, order # 229133 on 27.10.02, it has been established that sporting pistol IZH-70-18 A, caliber 9 mm, serial # YaOT 3021, 1994 date of production, was exported on 29.07.94 in crate 50 of 120 through Sheremetevo Airport (release order #1/3087 27.07.94) to the firm KBI at postal address PO BOX 6346 Harrisburg PA USA in accordance with contract 1194/92-30021 on 15.06.94.

Any idea how this pistol got from Pennsylvania back to Moscow? Since I'm not with the BATF, KBI doesn't respond to my emails and letters concerning the above document.

The best theory I've heard is that the weapons never left Moscow, that a few cases were stolen at the airport and either sold on the black market, or added to someone's "throwaway gun" stocks.

[Trailerpark Badass]

The Izh-71 makes more sense, because in another paper I read the cartages were 9mm. The .380 is also known as a 9mm short. The low velocity of the round would be ideal for a silencer. I have a Walther PPK, which is .380 caliber.

Blowback centerfire pistols suck for suppression. You get almost as much noise from the ejection port as you would from the muzzle.

[Thunder90]

Silencer is more proof that this was an FSB hit job.

[GarySpFc]

Silencer is more proof that this was an FSB hit job.,/i>

NONSENSE! Making a silencer is not all that difficult, and the designs and specifications can be found on the Internet. you really need to think before making outlandish remarks.

[Freelance Warrior]

Any idea how this pistol got from Pennsylvania back to Moscow?

Too few information. Probably there is a scanned version of the criminal case on Dubrovka hostage-taking in the Internet. If it is available a document on this pistol should be filed in the case. A source of a weapon found under such cirucmstances shoud have been investigated.

[struwwelpeter]

That is a digital photo of the Dubrovka (Nord-Ost) case files, and upon going through more than 1000 pages & pictures, this is the only mention of a US connection that I can find. Several weapons recovered on the scene had been exported to Cyprus as well.

During the dozens of lawsuits against the authorities (in which Politkovskaya assisted), the former 'Nord-Ost' hostages and family members were unable to get access to any materials, including autopsies. Even the exact number of fatalities is unknown.

Nothing has been posted by the Russian authorities on the internet or elsewhere. There is no Freedom of Information Act over there, and the FSB is, well, the FSB.

Three American families lost loved ones there, and one of them is working with Sen. McCain to force hearings on the matter. That may be the only way to find out if this weapon ever existed, or was a clerical error.

I for one would like to know who bought this weapon, and if they are a member of a terrorist cell in the US that is helping comrades in Chechnya/Moscow.

For the most complete collection of info on 'Nord-Ost', you can view Freeper Svni's page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~svni/

There are several articles there by Politkovksaya.

[GarySpFc]

Silencer is more proof that this was an FSB hit job.

Thunder, you will find instructions on e-Bay on How To Build A Silencer Suppressor ANY GUN DVD-Video
. The price is only $2.95 for the directions and $4.00 shipping. On completion you will be a full fledged member of the University of Wisconsin KGB.
Warning! Check all state and federal laws first.

[Sender]

Makarov.com has a lot of good basic info on the types and manufacturers. I have an IJ-70-18A made in the same factory in Izhevsk but mine was imported by Big Bear Arms in Texas. Not sure what year it was made. It's not a bad little pistol, the workmanship and materials are good, and it's a sturdy design as are all Russian weapons. With hot Tula ammo and a stiffer recoil spring, it barks with some authority and is a good fit for my hand.

As to mysterious hitmen running around with suppressed Makarovs, there was a prosecutor in Seattle that was whacked with a Makarov with a threaded barrel back in 2001. The FBI rounded up lists of everyone who had purchased threaded barrels for Makarovs and went to see them. I'm not sure if they ever found the assasin.

[struwwelpeter]

A few more comments from Anya's condolences weblog:

Mimoshla
Anna annoyed the authorities, like a bone in their throat, and they killed her. They will stop at nothing! Power corrupts.

Natasha
How awful it is to live in our country... This grief is impossible to put into words. We were so proud that there could be such journalists - courageous, fearless, brave. We are many more than they authorities think, and together we'll set things right.

Rustam Kersanov
Goodbye, Anna! You were a talanted journalist and a fearless person. I hope your courage helps to awaken the sleeping conscience of the average man and nourish the fighters.

Yakov
I feel as I did once when I heard of Galich's death. And if the government was involved, you'll never know. A bright memory of her!

Ingushetia
I hope that these curs answer in this life. Anna was an honest, brave person.

Sergey
A terrible death. I'm very sad for this remarkable person. I'm very sad for all the people who have no rights whatsoever, including a right to life. The pomp of holidays and fireworks in their honor - that is all the authorities are interested in. They kill people and go unpunished, homes are falling apart from age and disrepair, people are buried alive while asleep. And there is no end to this, no limit. Forgive us, Anya!

Jefff
Poor Russia! Really you need another 300 years to understand who is manipulating, scaring, and killing you. If you can mourn Anna today and then leave her in peace, then she wasn't needed by you in life. Today it's too late, however. Anna knew what she was doing and you should too. Condolences to both of you.

Katerina
The murder of any journalist is terrible. It is a gag, by which they shut our mouth. I am sorry for Anna, such a talented and purposeful person. It is pitiful and terrible that deeds such as this are still possible...

[eleni121]

She was on the outs with her Soros manipulators as well. Either the chechnyans or the Sorosites are the culprits.

http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=25&issue_id=2202&article_id=19184