Five head to trial in slaying of Russian reporter Politkovskaya

MOSCOW, May 21 (UPI) -- Prosecutors in Moscow say the case against five men suspected of involvement in the killing of investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya has been sent to court.

Investigators suspect Politkovskaya was killed over articles criticizing Kremlin policies in the North Caucasus and the leadership in Chechnya, RIA Novosti reported Tuesday.

Lom-Ali Gaitukayev of Chechnya is accused of hiring three of his relatives and a former police official to shoot Politkovskaya to death in the elevator of her apartment building in October 2006.

Gaitukayev was reportedly paid $150,000 by an unidentified person to make the arrangements.

Politkovskaya's colleagues and relatives have repeatedly urged investigators to identify the mastermind behind the crime.