ICPO wants to extend inquiry into Politkovskaya's murder till February 2011

As reported by Vladimir Markin, spokesman of the Investigatory Committee at the Prosecutor's Office (ICPO) of the Russian Federation, new suspects have now been established in the murder case of Anna Politkovskaya, a reporter of the "Novaya Gazeta", and international requests have been sent on legal aid to a number of European countries.

According to Mr Markin, the investigation plans to extend the criminal inquiry till February 2011.

The ICPO spokesman said that the necessary investigatory actions are conducted with the suspects of committing the crime - Sergei Khadjikurbanov, Dzhabrail and Ibragim Makhmudov, the RIA "Novosti" reports.

Rustam Makhmudov, who is considered to be direct gunman, is on the international wanted list; and, according to Mr Markin, the Interpol and law enforcement agencies of Russia are trying to catch him.

Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of the "Novaya Gazeta", said that the investigation into Anna Politkovskaya's murder is too slow, the "Interfax" reports.

It became known also today that new facts appeared in the journalist's murder case. Inspectors found the place where the pistol, from which Politkovskaya was killed, and, therefore, they intend to re-interrogate Sergei Khadjikurbanov, a former MIA employee, who had been earlier convicted for extortion.