Pardoned Organizer of Russian Journalist's Murder Joins Ukrainian Conflict

According to his lawyer who spoke to state media TASS, Sergey Khadzhikurbanov, a former Russian detective who was convicted for his involvement in the assassination of investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya in 2006, has been pardoned by Russian President Vladimir Putin. This pardon came after Khadzhikurbanov was recruited to fight in Ukraine. Khadzhikurbanov had been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in organizing the killing of Politkovskaya, who was a prominent critic of the Kremlin and a columnist for the investigative newspaper Novaya Gazeta. Politkovskaya was tragically shot dead in Moscow on October 7, 2006, which also happens to be Putin's birthday.

According to Alexey Mikhalchik, Khadzhikurbanov's lawyer, his client entered into a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and was later granted a pardon by President [Putin]. Mikhalchik further explained that Khadzhikurbanov continued to serve after completing his initial contract with the Russian military and currently holds a prominent role in one of the combat units, thanks to a new contract offer.

Khadzhikurbanov, a former Moscow police officer, was convicted by a Moscow court in 2014 for his involvement in the murder of Politkovskaya. Despite maintaining his innocence during the trial, Khadzhikurbanov's participation in the crime is considered unquestionable, as confirmed by a spokesperson for Novaya Gazeta to CNN on Monday. Initially sentenced to imprisonment until 2034, Khadzhikurbanov was later pardoned by Putin.

The release of Khadzhikurbanov has been condemned by both the editorial board of the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta and the family of journalist Anna Politkovskaya in a joint statement issued on Tuesday. The statement criticizes the state for using the law based on its distorted interpretation, rather than upholding it. It also highlights the discrepancy in sentencing, with 25 years given for mere beliefs while murderers, who are beneficial to the state, are being pardoned. The statement emphasizes that this pardon does not indicate the killer's remorse or redemption, but rather signifies a grave injustice and abuse of power. It is seen as an insult to the memory of Politkovskaya, who was murdered for her beliefs and dedication to her profession.

Russia is enlisting former prisoners as soldiers in an effort to strengthen its invasion of Ukraine, a protracted war of attrition that has endured for over 20 months.

A memorial to honor Anna Politkovskaya, a journalist who was shot dead in the elevator of her apartment block in 2006.

David Frenkel'/Kommersant/Sipa/AP

The recruitment campaign was initiated by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the infamous leader of the private military company Wagner. He aimed to recruit a total of 40,000 to 50,000 prisoners from various jails across Russia during the first year of the war.

In June, Prigozhin attempted a mutiny by mobilizing his Wagner fighters to march towards Moscow. They covered a distance of almost 1,000 kilometers from the Ukraine border in just one day. However, he suddenly ordered his troops to cease their advance. Exactly two months after his failed mutiny, Prigozhin met an untimely demise in a mysterious plane crash in August.

During a press conference last Friday, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, reiterated that Russia's practice of recruiting and granting pardons to convicts remains in effect. Peskov stated that even individuals convicted of "serious crimes" can be eligible for a pardon if they demonstrate redemption through sacrificial service, such as engaging in military combat or joining assault brigades. This statement was made in response to a recent case where a previously convicted murderer was granted a pardon by President Putin.