Von der Leyen pays tribute to Anna Politkovskaya 20 years after her murder

20 years ago, Anna Politkovskaya was murdered for speaking truth to power in Putin’s Russia. She exposed the brutality of war. She gave a voice to its victims. And she refused to be intimidated into silence. This cost her life. But her memory is carried by so many to this day. Press freedom in Russia has now only been crushed further. But Anna’s voice continues to travel far beyond Russia’s borders. She remains a symbol of courage, of fearless journalism and of the power of truth in the face of oppression. Today, we honour Anna’s legacy. And we think of all those who continue the work she gave her life for.