Thousands of Russians march to mourn murdered Putin critic Nemtsov

Thousands of opposition supporters have gathered in Moscow to march in memory of Russia’s former deputy prime minister Boris Nemtsov, who was a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin. Mourners have already laid flowers and lit candles on a bridge near the Kremlin where Mr Nemtsov was gunned down. The 55-year-old was shot in the back several times just before midnight on Friday. The assassination is the latest in a string of murders of opposition figures in Mr Putin’s 15 years in power and recalls the shooting of anti-Kremlin reporter Anna Politkovskaya, who was killed in October 2006.

There is already a list of unsolved political murders and attacks in Russia. We cannot allow Boris Nemtsov to become just another name on this list.

Amnesty International

Mr Nemtsov’s murder has increased concern about Russia’s future among opponents of Mr Putin. Mr Putin has condemned the death and blamed the latest killing on enemies trying to discredit the Kremlin. President Barack Obama, who met Mr Nemtsov in 2009, described him as a “tireless advocate” for the rights of Russian citizens, and cited his work in fighting corruption. UK Prime Minister David Cameron said the Russian people had been deprived of a champion of their rights and that Mr Nemtsov was greatly admired in Britain, not least by Margaret Thatcher.

The authorities definitely do not benefit from this. Everybody had long forgotten about this man, Nemtsov … It is definitely a ‘provocation’.

Moscow resident Denis, who declined to give his last name

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