2009: The Year In Photos
1
The New Year's fireworks explode over the Prague pendulum and lighting, the symbol of the EU, early on January 1, 2009. The Czech Republic took over the six-month European Union presidency from France( AFP/ Michal Cizek)
2
Shia pilgrims gather near the tomb of Imam Hussein to commemorate of his death in the holy city of Karbala, Iraq , 7 January 2009. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi shia visit the holy city of Karbala throughout the Ashura week to mark the death of Imam Hussein. (epa)
3
The body of the Russian lawyer Stanislav Markelov lies on the ground after he was shot dead in Moscow on January 19, 2009. He was representing the family of a Chechen girl -- Elza Kungayeva -- and was opposing the early release of
of the Russian officer jailed for her murder. His murder became a symbol of human rights abuses in Chechnya. (ITAR-TASS)
4
Barack Obama's hand lies on a bible as he is sworn in as the 44th US president by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts in front of the Capitol in Washington on January 20, 2009. (AFP)