Politkovskaya family lawyer makes mercury-poisoning claim

A Russian lawyer has said she suspects she and her family were poisoned by mercury found in her car, keeping her away from the start of the trial of three men accused in the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya.

Karinna Moskalenko, who has represented several Kremlin foes and is a lawyer for Ms Politkovskaya’s family, told reporters she and her husband found balls of mercury in their car on Sunday in Strasbourg, France. She said it may have been attempt to frighten her, but that it was unclear whether there was a link to the Politkovskaya murder trial.

“Somebody put it there, but I don’t know who could have done it or what aims they were pursuing,” Ms Moskalenko said by telephone from Strasbourg, where she helps Russians take claims against the authorities to the European Court of Human Rights.

Several Russians who have criticised or angered the Kremlin - including Ms Politkovskaya – have been victims of alleged poisoning attacks in recent years.