Press Releases
Criminal Proceedings in the Murder of Paul Klebnikov
December 05, 2005
Statement by Adam Ereli
Deputy Spokesman
The U.S. Government welcomes the news that pre-trial proceedings are scheduled to begin in Moscow this week for two of the persons charged with the July 2004 murder of Paul Klebnikov, the editor of Forbes Russia magazine. It remains our strong hope and expectation that all those responsible for this terrible crime will soon be tried in a manner consistent with international standards and, if convicted, punished appropriately. We strongly urge Russian judicial authorities to conduct this important trial openly, to ensure transparency. This prosecution will send a message to those who threaten journalists that they will be held publicly accountable and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
The U.S. Government is grateful for the significant attention that the Russian Government at the highest levels has dedicated to this case. We continue to urge that, in addition to those who pulled the trigger, those figures ultimately responsible for ordering the murder of Paul Klebnikov be found and brought to justice. We wish to reaffirm that the U.S. Government stands ready to assist Russian authorities to realize this goal.