Khodorkovsky & Lebedev Communications Center

Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday condemned the killings nine days ago of a prominent human rights lawyer and journalist, in a clear departure from the Kremlin's previous handling of politically tinged murders.

In the Russian president's first show of support, he met Dmitry Muratov, editor of Novaya Gazeta, the paper where Stanislav Markelov and Anastasia Baburova worked, and Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader and co-owner of the paper. Officials said he expressed sympathy following the deaths of Mr Markelov and Ms Baburova, a trainee journalist.

The meeting is an indication that Mr. Medvedev may be plotting a more independent course from Vladimir Putin