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Russia opposition politician Boris Nemtsov shot dead | Russia opposition politician Boris Nemtsov shot dead |
(35 minutes later) | |
A leading Russian opposition politician, former Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov, has been shot dead in Moscow, Russian officials say. | A leading Russian opposition politician, former Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov, has been shot dead in Moscow, Russian officials say. |
An unidentified attacker in a car shot Mr Nemtsov four times in the back as he crossed a bridge in view of the Kremlin, police say. | |
He died hours after appealing for support for a march on Sunday in Moscow against the war in Ukraine. | |
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the murder, the Kremlin says. | |
In a recent interview, Mr Nemtsov had said he feared Mr Putin would have him killed because of his opposition to the war in Ukraine. | |
Mr Nemtsov, 55, served as first deputy prime minister under President Boris Yeltsin in the 1990s. | |
He had earned a reputation as an economic reformer while governor of one of Russia's biggest cities, Nizhny Novgorod. | He had earned a reputation as an economic reformer while governor of one of Russia's biggest cities, Nizhny Novgorod. |
Falling out of favour with Yeltsin's successor, Mr Putin, Mr Nemtsov became an outspoken opposition politician. | Falling out of favour with Yeltsin's successor, Mr Putin, Mr Nemtsov became an outspoken opposition politician. |
Thorbjorn Jagland, secretary general of the Council of Europe, condemned the killing, saying in a tweet: "I am shocked and appalled key opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was shot. Killers must be brought to justice." | Thorbjorn Jagland, secretary general of the Council of Europe, condemned the killing, saying in a tweet: "I am shocked and appalled key opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was shot. Killers must be brought to justice." |
'Putin's aggression' | 'Putin's aggression' |
Mr Nemtsov was shot at around 23:40 (20:40 GMT) on Friday while crossing Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge accompanied by a woman, Russia's interior ministry said. | |
He was shot with a pistol from a white car which fled the scene, a police source told Russia's Interfax news agency. | |
According to Russian-language news website Meduza, "several people" had got out of a car and shot him. | |
One of the politician's colleagues in his RPR-Parnassus party, Ilya Yashin, confirmed Mr Nemtsov's death. | One of the politician's colleagues in his RPR-Parnassus party, Ilya Yashin, confirmed Mr Nemtsov's death. |
"Unfortunately I can see the corpse of Boris Nemtsov in front of me now," he was quoted as saying by Russia's lenta.ru news website. | "Unfortunately I can see the corpse of Boris Nemtsov in front of me now," he was quoted as saying by Russia's lenta.ru news website. |
In his last tweet, Mr Nemtsov sent out an appeal for Russia's divided opposition to unite at an anti-war march he was planning for Sunday. | In his last tweet, Mr Nemtsov sent out an appeal for Russia's divided opposition to unite at an anti-war march he was planning for Sunday. |
"If you support stopping Russia's war with Ukraine, if you support stopping Putin's aggression, come to the Spring March in Maryino on 1 March," he wrote. | "If you support stopping Russia's war with Ukraine, if you support stopping Putin's aggression, come to the Spring March in Maryino on 1 March," he wrote. |
Speaking earlier this month to Russia's Sobesednik news website, he had spoken of his fears for his own life. | Speaking earlier this month to Russia's Sobesednik news website, he had spoken of his fears for his own life. |
"I'm afraid Putin will kill me," he said in the article on 10 February (in Russian). | "I'm afraid Putin will kill me," he said in the article on 10 February (in Russian). |
I believe that he was the one who unleashed the war in the Ukraine," he said. "I couldn't dislike him more." | I believe that he was the one who unleashed the war in the Ukraine," he said. "I couldn't dislike him more." |
Mr Putin has been widely accused of fomenting the bloody rebellion in east Ukraine - an accusation he denies. | Mr Putin has been widely accused of fomenting the bloody rebellion in east Ukraine - an accusation he denies. |
Almost 5,800 people have died and at least 1.25 million have fled their homes, according to the UN. | Almost 5,800 people have died and at least 1.25 million have fled their homes, according to the UN. |
The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels with heavy weapons and soldiers. | The Ukrainian government, Western leaders and Nato say there is clear evidence that Russia is helping the rebels with heavy weapons and soldiers. |
Independent experts echo that accusation while Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are "volunteers". | Independent experts echo that accusation while Moscow denies it, insisting that any Russians serving with the rebels are "volunteers". |
Are you in Russia? What is your reaction to the death of Boris Nemtsov? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in Russia? What is your reaction to the death of Boris Nemtsov? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Have your say | Have your say |