Killers of Russian journalist sentenced to life in prison

A Moscow court on Monday sentenced two men to life in prison for killing Anna Politkovskaya, an investigative journalist whose murder in 2006 raised international alarm over the risks faced by Kremlin critics in Russia.

Three others were sentenced to terms ranging from 12 to 20 years for the renowned journalist’s murder, Russian news agency Interfax reported.

All five were convicted of murder last month. Though three of the defendants were previously acquitted of charges, Russia’s Supreme Court ordered them to face a new trial during which they were found guilty.

Politkovskaya, 48, was noted for her reporting that criticized Kremlin policies in Chechnya and human rights violations there. She was shot to death in the elevator of her Moscow apartment building.

Gunman Rustam Makhmudov and Lom-Ali Gaitukayev, who was convicted of organizing the shooting, were sentenced to life in prison on Monday.

Two of Makhmudov's brothers were sentenced to 12 and 14 years, and former Moscow policeman-turned-accomplice Sergei Khadzhikurbanov was ordered to serve 20 years.

Russia's Investigative Committee says it is still trying to determine who ordered the killing.

Since 1992, 36 journalists have been killed in Russia, according to advocacy group the Committee to Protect Journalists. Sentences have only been handed down in four of the cases. A majority of the journalists killed reported on corruption in Russia’s public sector.

Al Jazeera and wire services