RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – Oct 7, 2010
TODAY: 4 year anniversary of Anna Politkovskaya’s death sees investigation extended; Putin’s birthday; Resin fast-tracked into United Russia, may stay in office; Luzkhov comments on his dismissal; human rights council advises on police reforms; Kerch strait bridge? WTO membership could remain blocked by Georgia; Duma deputy goes missing; power vertical analysis.
Today marks four years since the death of journalist Anna Politkovskaya, as investigators say they have located the source of the murder weapon and will extend the probe until February. Today also marks Vladimir Putin’s 58th birthday, celebrated this year by Moscow State University’s journalism department with a risqué calendar. Press speculation suggests that Moscow’s acting Mayor, Vladimir Resin, could stay in office for another two years, fueled by the news that Resin’s application to join the ruling United Russia party had been fast-tracked and processed in ‘a matter of hours‘. Former mayor Yury Luzhkov says he was dismissed because of the upcoming 2012 elections: ‘The authorities need Moscow to support the Kremlin-proposed candidate.‘ The Audit Chamber says it has documents showing that Moscow spent its budget funds ‘at least inefficiently‘.