A memorial service for Anna Politkovskaya

A panahida, or Russian Orthodox memorial service, was held for Anna Politkovskaya at the Ouspensky Cathedral in Helsinki today. The light conditions made it nearly impossible for me to get a decent photo of it, but I want to publish this picture of people filing out from the church regardless. I am neither Russian Orthodox nor religious, but I wanted to attend to pay my final respect. The picture below is a little better lightingwise, but somehow in my view lacks both in human interest and composition. Ah well, I am not a photographer after all.

A candle vigil for Anna Politkovskaja

Outside the Russian Embassy in Helsinki today, a candle vigil was held in honour and memory of Anna Politkovskaja, the Russian reporter murdered on her doorstep on Saturday. She was an outspoken critic of the Putin government, particularly of its handling of the war in Chechnya. Note the Chechen flag left leaning against the Embassy fence in the picture. I don't normally post the same picture on my two sites, but this is an exceptional circumstance.