The statute of limitations expired Monday on the high-profile murder of Vladislav Listyev, the first head of the ORT television channel who was shot dead at an apartment building in central Moscow on March 1, 1995.
After 15 years, the investigators haven't uncovered any leads to the killers or those who might have orchestrated the killing.
Listyev was murdered 33 days after his appointment as the director of ORT, which has since become state-controlled Channel One, headed by Konstantin Ernst.
The case was suspended in April 2009, though an unidentified source told Interfax on Monday that "the investigative work hasn't ever halted — even for a day." But there is no evidence that can prompt a renewal of a full-scale investigation, the source said.
Investigators assume that the killing was linked to Listyev’s professional activities, but no suspects have been named yet.
"The investigation is ongoing," Vladimir Markin, a spokesman for the Investigative Committee, said in televised remarks Sunday.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.