Ivan Khutorskoy, an anti-fascist activist, has been murdered by gunfire in Moscow today in what some colleagues are calling a possible retaliation.  According to the Reuters coverage, the murder may have been related to the arrests of individuals in connection with the murder of human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov:A fellow antifascist campaigner, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the November 16 murder could be out of spite: "Ivan [Khutorskoy] knew Markelov. His murder was either revenge, or a challenge to the authorities following the arrests."Leftist political website ikd.ru wrote: "For the majority of Ivan's friends, it's clear that his murder was carried out by Russian Nazis."With the death of the mistreated Hermitage lawyer, this is a very sad day for Russia.

TODAY: Markelov murder suspect reportedly confesses; vengeance a possible motive?  Activist abducted in Moscow.  Spy chief issues warning on Georgia; Lavrov surprised at Poland soliciting US help.  Medvedev reserves army use for emergencies. Luzhkov lays into Abramovich; new vodka pricing; toy story. The Moscow Times reports that revenge may be the motive behind the shooting of human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov.  Apparently the alleged gunman Nikita Tikhonov may have been a suspect in the stabbing of anti-fascist activist Alexander Ryukhin in 2006, whose mother Markelov was a lawyer for.  The other suspect, Eugenia Khasis, 24, appears to have no prior convictions.  Apparently the killer has confessed - the Other Russia reporting it to be ...