Opposition politician Boris Nemtsov killed in the center of Moscow

Opposition politician Boris Nemtsov killed in the center of Moscow Published time: February 27, 2015 21:46 Edited time: February 28, 2015 07:30 Get short URL RIA Novosti / Ilya PitalevRIA Novosti / Ilya Pitalev 4.5K2.7K57 Famous Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov has been shot dead in the center of Moscow. The shots came from a vehicle. Reportedly, Nemtsov had previously received death threats on social media sites. Boris Nemtsov killed in Moscow LIVE UPDATES Nemtsov was shot four times in the center of Moscow at Vasilyevsky Spusk, a bridge leading to Red Square, according to police. A law enforcement source told Interfax news agency that a white vehicle approached Nemtsov, fired the shots, and sped away. Police later said there were three white cars on the bridge during the shooting, according to footage from street cameras. Two of them were later cleared of any link to the murder. Some witnesses said the car containing the suspects was without a license plate. Shortly before the deadly shooting, Nemtsov had dinner at a restaurant inside GUM, a department store on Red Square, with the woman he was with when he was shot. The two then went for a walk. Her name is not being released due to the ongoing investigation. “Nemtsov was walking on Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge with a visitor from Ukraine. It was then when he was shot from a car that was passing by,” said the ministry’s official representative, Elena Alekseeva, as quoted by Rossiya 24 TV channel. “The woman who was with him is currently being questioned in a police department,” Alekseeva added. Police said they believe the murder was planned well in advance. “Nemtsov’s route has been established. Someone apparently followed him from GUM and told the accomplices the [politician’s] location,” Tass reported citing a source.Police found six bullet casings at the crime scene, Alekseeva said. RIA Novosti / Ilya PitalevRIA Novosti / Ilya Pitalev Nemtsov’s family lawyer, Vadim Prohorov, said the politician began receiving various types of threats – including death threats – on social media sites a few months ago. The politician’s family members arrived at the crime scene early on Saturday. Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev spoke to them at the site. Television host and opposition activist Ksenia Sobchak was among those at the scene. Before authorities could confirm Nemtsov’s death, the politician’s colleagues spoke out. “Unfortunately, I'm currently looking at the body of Nemtsov," opposition leaders Ilya Yashin, confirmed to RIA Novosti. “I see the body, and a lot of police.” Nemtsov, 55, has been in Russian politics for over two decades. He gained popularity as a governor to Nizhegorodsky region, staying in the office from 1991 to 1997. He served as energy minister and deputy prime minister under former President Boris Yeltsin, while being regarded at some point as his successor. After 1998 he participated in the creation of several liberal movements and parties, serving as a Parliament member. Since 2003 he was more involved in business than politics. However, Nemtsov voiced opposition to President Vladimir Putin, criticizing the government and its policies. Since 2012, he had co-chaired the liberal party RPR-PARNAS (Republican Party of Russia – People's Freedom Party). Nemtsov’s assassination comes just one day ahead of the Vesna (“Spring”) opposition rally slated for March 1 in Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin was “immediately informed” about Nemtsov’s assassination, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told RT. “Putin has stressed that this brutal murder has all [the] signs of a contract murder and is extremely provocative,” Peskov said. “The president has expressed his deep condolences to the family of tragically deceased Nemtsov,” he added. Nikita Belyh, governor of the Kirov Region, said he was shocked to hear about Nemtsov’s death and expressed his sincerest condolences to the politician’s family. “This is a nightmare. Boris Nemtsov was killed. I can’t believe this, I talked to him just four hours ago – we laughed, reminisced about something,” he wrote on his Twitter account. Human Rights Watch representative Tanya Cooper called for a “thorough” and “unbiased” investigation into Nemtsov’s murder, adding that police must consider all angles, including the victim’s political career. US President Barack Obama has condemned Nemtsov’s death, describing it as a “brutal murder,” the White House National Security Council said on Twitter. The council also called on Russia to conduct a “prompt, impartial and transparent investigation” and to “ensure those responsible are brought to justice.” 4.5K2.7K56 Sponsored LinksMore From The Web Great Python Interview Questions TopTal (VIDEO) Is The iPad Dead? Dailymotion.com Join Chef Poh in the Food Capital of the World Youtube | Malaysia Airlines by Taboola More from rt.com Russia’s deployed nuclear capacity overtakes US for first time since 2000 Russian military builds futuristic helipad on Moscow embankment (PHOTOS) Mysterious Russian satellite sparks ‘orbital weapon’ speculations by Taboola (4419)Comments Show New Comments (11) Blazkowicz Inc. Blazkowicz Inc. 2 minutes ago history8888 Putin is destroying the great Russia. Russia could be a thriving democracy with an economy better than China's with the right leadership,more... Putin's strong measures helped Russia regain its economic strength. Under American guidance Russia's economy was in shambles. ReplyContext 3 Dragan Radulovic Dragan Radulovic 2 minutes ago The news is bad. Very bad. But, at least Nemtsov was taking a hike as a free man without body guard. What's more Russian politicians must continue preserving that freedom whatever price it might be. Some people really want to turn Russia into America. God forbid. Reply 2 Vincent Lvov Vincent Lvov 2 minutes ago Russian president is involved in killing opposition leader...Putin has connections everywhere so when he can not catch the murderes today or tomorrow it is most likely it was one of his friends who commited this murder Reply -1 Lilly OfTheValley Lilly OfTheValley 2 minutes ago Karl Adomeit I don't discuss with useless moronic Yanks !!! Go watch Cartoon News Network !!! Dumb@ss troll Your stuрidity and lack of arguments makes me look even smarter. Thank you. ReplyContext Vvp Vvp Vvp Vvp 2 minutes ago Martin Riggs Trust me, for everyone one you clone we will clone 10 of you Jew freaks as pay back. Have a nice day. I've just changed sides I'm really sorry but I'm here on this side when you're ready for the truth ReplyContext -1 Joachim W Joachim W 2 minutes ago history8888 Putin is a fascist who will get many Russians killed for nothing. How dare you! Do you know what is a meaning of fascist word?! ReplyContext 0 Alex Stanley Alex Stanley 3 minutes ago jack robinson Speaking earlier this month to Russia's Sobesednik news website, he had spoken of his fears for his own life. "I'm afraidmore... If you are almost irrelevant opposition figure and you openly state that Putin might kill you, given current situation with Ukriane, you pretty much sign your death warrant, as Poro is getting desperate. ReplyContext Karl Adomeit Karl Adomeit 3 minutes ago Lilly OfTheValley You have no arguments, so you resort to personal attacks, thus demonstrating your inferiority. I'm flattered. I don't discuss with useless moronic Yanks !!! Go watch Cartoon News Network !!! Dumb@ss troll ReplyContext 2 Lilly OfTheValley Lilly OfTheValley 3 minutes ago Vladimir needs to be PUTIN jail for this murder. Reply -4 Vvp Vvp Vvp Vvp 4 minutes ago Lilly OfTheValley I think the Kremlin regime has gone too far with this killing. That's why I no longer support Putin ReplyContext -2 history8888 history8888 4 minutes ago Joachim W Yes That is 100% True! Putin is Our Great Leader! Putin is a fascist who will get many Russians killed for nothing. ReplyContext -2 Rita Rita 4 minutes ago history8888 No..there are other qualified Russians if Putin would stop poisoning them or shooting them or arresting them and imprisoning them on trumpedmore... Russian chose him well. Only foreign imperialist interests think the way you do. ReplyContext 1 Evgeny Chernykh Evgeny Chernykh 4 minutes ago history8888 You are not American. You are a paid agent of Russia intelligence services You got it right. I am Russian sitting in Moscow. Long live to CIA, FBI and all other US sht. ReplyContext Karl Adomeit Karl Adomeit 4 minutes ago Lilly OfTheValley You have no arguments, so you resort to personal attacks, thus demonstrating your inferiority. I'm flattered. Didn't I tell you to get lost you stupid donkey ??? Can't speak white or what ??? ReplyContext 1 Joachim W Joachim W 5 minutes ago Karl Adomeit Some ZioPig Oligarchs orchestrated this to ''blame it'' on Putin...Like Babych said in the interview the Western ZioNazis will spinmore... Yes That is 100% True! Putin is Our Great Leader! ReplyContext 4 Lilly OfTheValley Lilly OfTheValley 5 minutes ago Karl Adomeit Go away useless clown !!! lol You have no arguments, so you resort to personal attacks, thus demonstrating your inferiority. I'm flattered. ReplyContext -2 pinionmole pinionmole 5 minutes ago history8888 I support the Russian people and all people seeking/choosing true democracy and freedoms and to get rid of dictators like Putin Oh really? Please point to a true democracy in the world today. Now. Do it. Name one. ReplyContext Blazkowicz Inc. Blazkowicz Inc. 5 minutes ago MrAkura1984 Is there a single Russian opposition member who hasn't been fired, arrested, kidnapped, imprisoned, tortured, poisoned or murdered? There is none. Themore... And just so happened that most of them were active spies or were collaborating with spies -read any reference book or documents if you have the occasion to help you get down off your high horse. ReplyContext Brian Hu Brian Hu 5 minutes ago Putinis Queer Putin is a lying little mother fucckker. And yet Obama is not? Hypocrite. ReplyContext 1 history8888 history8888 5 minutes ago Evgeny Chernykh 1000 posts below I wrote that this could be done by who ever - Russian 'liberals' or nationalists, Ukrainians, USmore... You are not American. You are a paid agent of Russia intelligence services ReplyContext -2 More 4388