Russian prosecutors have named the man they say killed journalist Anna Politkovskaya.

The 48-year-old mother of two was shot dead in her Moscow apartment building in 2006.

Chief criminal investigator Vladimir Markin called Rustam Makhmudov "the direct agent in the killing" and said the suspect has been placed on an international wanted list in connection with the murder.

Mr Markin said another man accused of acting as an accomplice in the killing, Magomed Demelkhanov, has been bailed but is not allowed to leave Moscow.

Seven men remain in detention.

Mrs Politkovskaya, a fierce critic of Kremlin policy, won international fame by documenting human rights abuses by Russian security forces in Chechnya and the North Caucasus.

Prosecutors said in March they knew the identity of her killer, but did not name him at the time.

Critics said it was a move to keep one of the accused, Colonel Pavel Ryaguzov of the Federal Security Service - the modern equivalent of the KGB - in prison.

Mr Markin said: "Demelkhanov's role held more of an assisting character. All necessary investigatory activities with respect to the accused have been pursued, and he will be unable to hinder developments in the case."

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