Russian journalist murdered for investigative work

MOSCOW, Oct 10 (Reuters) - The murder of a regional Russian journalist was prompted by his work at a campaigning independent newspaper, government officials said on Friday, with one describing it as an attempt to intimidate a free press.

Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov said he had despatched top investigators to Alexei Sidrov's home town of Tolyatti -- an industrial town on the Volga river about 500 miles (800 km) southeast of Moscow.

"We think it (the murder) was connected to his professional activities," he told First Channel television.

Sidrov was stabbed repeatedly late on Thursday outside his home as he was returning from work. He was the second editor from the town's newspaper, which frequently reported on official corruption, to be murdered in 18 months.

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