MOSCOW, December 3 - RAPSI. On December 12, the Moscow City Court will initiate a special procedure trial against Dmitry Pavlyuchenkov, accused of murdering journalist Anna Politkovskaya, the head of the court's press service, Anna Usacheva, told the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com) on Monday.

Politkovskaya, who was known for her investigative journalism on human rights in Chechnya, was killed in the elevator of her apartment building on October 7, 2006 in Moscow.

Investigators believe her murder was related to her work.

Six people are suspected of having been involved in her murder - former police officers Dmitry Pavlyuchenkov and Sergei Kadzhikurbanov, Chechen-born Lom-Ali Gaitukayev, and the Makhmudov brothers, one of whom is alleged to have been the killer.

Investigators believe Gaitukayev was the organizer of the crime.

The case against Pavlyuchekov has been granted special circumstance status in view of his plea bargain.

The special procedure ensures a trial without reviewing the evidence or holding witness testimonies. Furthermore, the court cannot sentence the defendant to the maximum punishment.