Moscow memorial plaque to slain journalist Anna Politkovskaya torn down for fifth time in a week A memorial plaque honoring journalist Anna Politkovskaya, assassinated in 2006, has been torn down five times within a week. A neo-Nazi group claimed responsibility for the initial destruction, attributing it as a tribute to predecessors. A Moscow court fined one individual for petty hooliganism, though the journalist’s outlet believes a group with neo-Nazi views was responsible.

• A memorial plaque for journalist Anna Politkovskaya was vandalized five times in a week.
• A neo-Nazi group claimed responsibility for the initial destruction of the plaque.
• A Moscow court fined Alexander Filippov 1,000 rubles ($13) for smashing the plaque, claiming it was accidental.
• Novaya Gazeta believes a group with neo-Nazi views was behind the vandalism.
• Temporary replacement plaques and flowers left at the site were also removed.