Communism at work?
Boris Nemtsov: 'I'm afraid Putin will kill me,' Russian opposition politician said weeks before being shot dead
By Lizzie Dearden – 28 February 2015
The Russian opposition politician shot dead in Moscow had spoken of his fear that Vladimir Putin would have him killed weeks before his murder
Speaking to Russia's Sobesednik news website on 10 February, Boris Nemtsov said: "I'm afraid Putin will kill me. I believe that he was the one who unleashed the war in the Ukraine. I couldn't dislike him more."
Friends said he had received anonymous death threats over the internet.
"Boris periodically received anonymous threats on social networking sites...Boris was worried," said opposition politician Ilya Yashin.
"He said he was under threat but never wanted additional security. (He said) if they want to kill (me) they will kill (me).”
Mr Nemtsov was shot four times in the back by a gunman in a car as he crossed a bridge in view of the Kremlin just before midnight on Friday, police said.
The 55-year-old was walking with a Ukrainian woman after they ate at a restaurant in Red Square. She escaped unhurt.
The former Deputy Prime Minister, who fell out of favour under Putin’s regime, was due to attend an anti-government Spring March on Sunday protesting against Russia’s alleged backing of rebels in Ukraine.
The President condemned the killing, which his spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said could be a "provocation" coming just a day before the march Mr Nemtsov helped organise.
"It was mentioned by the President that it looks like a contract killing, while carrying all the signs of a provocation," Mr Peskov added.
The Kremlin said last night that President Putin will personally oversee the Interior Ministry's investigation into the murder.
International governments have expressed their condolences to Russia and called for a full and transparent inquiry.
A spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We are shocked and saddened by news that former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov has been shot and killed in Moscow.
"Our thoughts are with his family and we offer our condolences to them. We deplore this criminal act.
"Those responsible must be brought to justice. We will continue to follow the situation closely."
Boris Nemtsov: 'I'm afraid Putin will kill me,' Russian opposition politician said weeks before being shot dead - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk
Boris Nemtsov: 'I'm afraid Putin will kill me,' Russian opposition politician said weeks before being shot dead
By Lizzie Dearden – 28 February 2015
The Russian opposition politician shot dead in Moscow had spoken of his fear that Vladimir Putin would have him killed weeks before his murder
Speaking to Russia's Sobesednik news website on 10 February, Boris Nemtsov said: "I'm afraid Putin will kill me. I believe that he was the one who unleashed the war in the Ukraine. I couldn't dislike him more."
Friends said he had received anonymous death threats over the internet.
"Boris periodically received anonymous threats on social networking sites...Boris was worried," said opposition politician Ilya Yashin.
"He said he was under threat but never wanted additional security. (He said) if they want to kill (me) they will kill (me).”
Mr Nemtsov was shot four times in the back by a gunman in a car as he crossed a bridge in view of the Kremlin just before midnight on Friday, police said.
The 55-year-old was walking with a Ukrainian woman after they ate at a restaurant in Red Square. She escaped unhurt.
The former Deputy Prime Minister, who fell out of favour under Putin’s regime, was due to attend an anti-government Spring March on Sunday protesting against Russia’s alleged backing of rebels in Ukraine.
The President condemned the killing, which his spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said could be a "provocation" coming just a day before the march Mr Nemtsov helped organise.
"It was mentioned by the President that it looks like a contract killing, while carrying all the signs of a provocation," Mr Peskov added.
The Kremlin said last night that President Putin will personally oversee the Interior Ministry's investigation into the murder.
International governments have expressed their condolences to Russia and called for a full and transparent inquiry.
A spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We are shocked and saddened by news that former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov has been shot and killed in Moscow.
"Our thoughts are with his family and we offer our condolences to them. We deplore this criminal act.
"Those responsible must be brought to justice. We will continue to follow the situation closely."
Boris Nemtsov: 'I'm afraid Putin will kill me,' Russian opposition politician said weeks before being shot dead - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk
