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Thousands set to march in Moscow in memory of shot Russian politician Boris Nemtsov Thousands march in Moscow in memory of shot Russian politician Boris Nemtsov
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of people are expected to march in Moscow today in memory of the murdered Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov. Thousands of people are marching in Moscow today in memory of the murdered Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov.
Mr Nemtsov, who was shot dead in the street on Friday, had been due to lead a rally in the country’s capital today.Mr Nemtsov, who was shot dead in the street on Friday, had been due to lead a rally in the country’s capital today.
The original opposition rally is now being adapted to what some activists are referring to as a “funeral procession” in memory of the shot politician. The original opposition rally has been adapted into what some activists are referring to as a “funeral procession” in memory of the shot politician.
Authorities had originally granted approval for a march numbering 50,000 people but organisers now expect more people to turn out. Authorities had originally granted approval for a march numbering 50,000 people but organisers believe more people could turn out.
People gather at the site where Boris Nemtsov was murdered, with St. Basil's Cathedral seen in the background, in central Moscow, February 28, 2015. Mourners have laid a huge pile of flowers at the spot on the Great Moskvoretsky Bridge, near the Kremlin, where the opposition leader was shot. Protesters are holding placards declaring "I am not afraid" and criticising alleged corruption in the country's government.
Protesters will gather in central Moscow from 2pm local time. People gather at the site where Boris Nemtsov was murdered, with St. Basil's Cathedral seen in the background, in central Moscow, February 28, 2015.
“If we can stop the campaign of hate that's being directed at the opposition, then we have a chance to change Russia. If not then we face the prospect of mass civil conflict,” Gennady Gudkov, an opposition leader, told the Reuters news agency at the start of the march.
“The authorities are corrupt and don't allow any threats to them to emerge. Boris was uncomfortable for them.”
Protesters gathered in central Moscow from 2pm local time.
Mourners have laid a huge pile of flowers at the spot on the Great Moskvoretsky Bridge, near the Kremlin, where the opposition leader was shot.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would do “everything to ensure that the perpetrators of this vile and cynical crime and those who stand behind them are properly punished”.Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would do “everything to ensure that the perpetrators of this vile and cynical crime and those who stand behind them are properly punished”.
“Boris Nemtsov has left his mark in the history of Russia,” the country’s leader added in his telegram to Mr Nemtsov’s mother.“Boris Nemtsov has left his mark in the history of Russia,” the country’s leader added in his telegram to Mr Nemtsov’s mother.
Opposition activists have suspicions Mr Nemtsov, who was notable in Russia for his support for anti-corruption politics, liberal democracy, and human rights, may have been killed for being one of Mr Putin's most prominent critics.Opposition activists have suspicions Mr Nemtsov, who was notable in Russia for his support for anti-corruption politics, liberal democracy, and human rights, may have been killed for being one of Mr Putin's most prominent critics.
Nemsov has been an outspoken critic of Putin Days before he was shot the opposition leader told Russia’s Sobesednik news website: "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." Boris Nemtsov was one of Vladimir Putin's most vociferous critics (Getty) Days before he was shot the opposition leader told Russia’s Sobesednik news website: "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."
After the killing David Cameron said he was "shocked and sickened" at the “callous murder”.After the killing David Cameron said he was "shocked and sickened" at the “callous murder”.
“This despicable act must be fully, rapidly and transparently investigated, and those responsible brought to justice,” the Prime Minister added.“This despicable act must be fully, rapidly and transparently investigated, and those responsible brought to justice,” the Prime Minister added.
The 55-year old was shot four times in the back from a car as he crossed a bridge in view of the Kremlin just before midnight on Friday, according to local police.The 55-year old was shot four times in the back from a car as he crossed a bridge in view of the Kremlin just before midnight on Friday, according to local police.