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Who killed Russia opposition politician Boris Nemtsov? Who killed Russia opposition politician Boris Nemtsov?
(about 9 hours later)
In the absence of any arrest or claim of responsibility, there are multiple theories for the murder of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov.In the absence of any arrest or claim of responsibility, there are multiple theories for the murder of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov.
Was he killed because he opposed the policies of President Vladimir Putin and Russia's alleged covert war in Ukraine? Was he killed because he opposed the policies of President Vladimir Putin and Russia's alleged covert war in Ukraine? Was he cut down in full view of the Kremlin in an attempt to discredit Russia's leaders or even intimidate them, or incite a rebellion against them? Perhaps it was an opportunistic attack by someone harbouring a grudge?
Was he cut down in full view of the Kremlin in an attempt to discredit Russia's leaders or even intimidate them, or incite a rebellion against them? Here are some of the principal theories about how might be behind the killing.
Perhaps it was an opportunistic attack by someone harbouring a grudge? President Vladimir Putin
Here we look at some of the principal lines of inquiry.
Was it Putin?
"Illogical" and "unacceptable" is how Mr Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, described this allegation when contacted by the BBC.
On the face of it, Nemtsov was a well-known, media-friendly, veteran opposition politician who was just days from leading an anti-war rally in Moscow (cancelled after his death).On the face of it, Nemtsov was a well-known, media-friendly, veteran opposition politician who was just days from leading an anti-war rally in Moscow (cancelled after his death).
"If you support stopping Russia's war with Ukraine, if you support stopping Putin's aggression, come to the Spring March in Maryino [a Moscow suburb] on 1 March," he wrote in a social media post, published hours before he was shot (in Russian)."If you support stopping Russia's war with Ukraine, if you support stopping Putin's aggression, come to the Spring March in Maryino [a Moscow suburb] on 1 March," he wrote in a social media post, published hours before he was shot (in Russian).
According to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Nemtsov was planning to publish "some persuasive evidence about the involvement of Russian armed forces in Ukraine".According to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Nemtsov was planning to publish "some persuasive evidence about the involvement of Russian armed forces in Ukraine".
Such activities were bound to antagonise the Kremlin (as well as Russian nationalists backing the rebel cause in Ukraine, of course).Such activities were bound to antagonise the Kremlin (as well as Russian nationalists backing the rebel cause in Ukraine, of course).
But the idea that Mr Putin might have ordered Nemtsov's killing is "illogical" and "unacceptable" his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told the BBC.
Yet even if you accept the possibility that the Kremlin might murder dissidents, the question remains: why kill Nemtsov and not other, younger, much more dangerous opposition figures such as Alexei Navalny?Yet even if you accept the possibility that the Kremlin might murder dissidents, the question remains: why kill Nemtsov and not other, younger, much more dangerous opposition figures such as Alexei Navalny?
Multiple, dubious corruption prosecutions have beset Mr Navalny since he mounted arguably the most serious challenge ever to Mr Putin's rule, from the streets of Moscow in the winter of 2011-12.Multiple, dubious corruption prosecutions have beset Mr Navalny since he mounted arguably the most serious challenge ever to Mr Putin's rule, from the streets of Moscow in the winter of 2011-12.
During those same protests, Nemtsov played a minor role, jeered at times when he took to the stage alongside other opposition figures.During those same protests, Nemtsov played a minor role, jeered at times when he took to the stage alongside other opposition figures.
If the court proceedings against Mr Navalny were politically motivated, as many assume they were, where is the logic in killing a minor irritant but only gagging a real opponent?If the court proceedings against Mr Navalny were politically motivated, as many assume they were, where is the logic in killing a minor irritant but only gagging a real opponent?
Could Russian rogue elements have been at work? Rogue elements in Russian security services
The security services already enjoy massive power under President Putin, whose own popularity rating increased last month to 86%, according to one poll. Could Russian ultra-nationalists with connections to the security services have had Nemtsov - a pacifist, and labelled a traitor by some - killed as a warning to Mr Putin not to back down in the conflict over Ukraine?
It seems unlikely that some sections might have planned the killing in order to justify some draconian new crackdown.
But why, on a bridge just outside the Kremlin walls covered by numerous security cameras, has no distinct footage emerged of the killers?
Could Russian ultra-nationalists with connections to the security services have had Nemtsov the pacifist, and labelled a traitor by some, killed as a warning to Mr Putin not to back down in the conflict over Ukraine?
A ceasefire the Russian president personally helped to negotiate last month finally seems to be taking hold in the conflict zone.A ceasefire the Russian president personally helped to negotiate last month finally seems to be taking hold in the conflict zone.
Ukraine conflict: Marathon in Minsk However, it seems unlikely that some sections might have planned the killing in order to justify some draconian new crackdown.
Was it Putin's enemies? The security services already enjoy massive power under President Putin, whose own popularity rating increased last month to 86%, according to one poll.
That said, why, on a bridge just outside the Kremlin walls covered by numerous security cameras, has no distinct footage emerged of the killing?
The CIA
Condemning Nemtsov's "vile and cynical murder", the Russian president vowed to bring to justice its organisers and perpetrators. It "had all the hallmarks of a contract killing" and was "entirely provocative in nature", he said.Condemning Nemtsov's "vile and cynical murder", the Russian president vowed to bring to justice its organisers and perpetrators. It "had all the hallmarks of a contract killing" and was "entirely provocative in nature", he said.
The clear implication here is that Mr Putin, at least in public, regards the killing as an organised assassination, not a random shooting in the street.The clear implication here is that Mr Putin, at least in public, regards the killing as an organised assassination, not a random shooting in the street.
"Provocation" is Kremlin code for an attack aimed at destabilising the Russian state. As to who might be behind such an attack, the Kremlin's "chief spin doctor", TV anchorman Dmitry Kiselev, made clear who he thought stood to benefit most."Provocation" is Kremlin code for an attack aimed at destabilising the Russian state. As to who might be behind such an attack, the Kremlin's "chief spin doctor", TV anchorman Dmitry Kiselev, made clear who he thought stood to benefit most.
"When he was alive, Nemtsov was no longer necessary to the West, he had no prospects," he said. "But dead, he was a lot more interesting.""When he was alive, Nemtsov was no longer necessary to the West, he had no prospects," he said. "But dead, he was a lot more interesting."
Following this Russian state TV scenario, if some foreign intelligence agency did indeed organise the assassination of Nemtsov to undermine President Putin, it appears to have miscalculated.Following this Russian state TV scenario, if some foreign intelligence agency did indeed organise the assassination of Nemtsov to undermine President Putin, it appears to have miscalculated.
Some 50,000 people turned out to protest at his death on Sunday - a fair-sized crowd but nothing like the anti-government protests of 2011-12 - and there was no significant disorder.Some 50,000 people turned out to protest at his death on Sunday - a fair-sized crowd but nothing like the anti-government protests of 2011-12 - and there was no significant disorder.
The killers Ultra-nationalists or Islamic extremists
Who hated Nemtsov enough to kill him?
Undoubtedly, there were Russians who hated Nemtsov for his liberal brand of politics and opposition to the war, seen as a sacred cause by many nationalists.Undoubtedly, there were Russians who hated Nemtsov for his liberal brand of politics and opposition to the war, seen as a sacred cause by many nationalists.
"It is no secret that there are some very radical characters among both sides in the conflict [over Ukraine], who are not subordinated to any authorities," said Vladimir Markin, spokesman for Russia's powerful Investigative Committee."It is no secret that there are some very radical characters among both sides in the conflict [over Ukraine], who are not subordinated to any authorities," said Vladimir Markin, spokesman for Russia's powerful Investigative Committee.
"So who's Nemtsov?" asked one Moscow tweeter. "So much fuss while children and old people perish in Donetsk [eastern Ukraine] each day. Who remembers them?""So who's Nemtsov?" asked one Moscow tweeter. "So much fuss while children and old people perish in Donetsk [eastern Ukraine] each day. Who remembers them?"
One common extreme reaction circulating on Russian-language social media was, "A dog's death for a dog."One common extreme reaction circulating on Russian-language social media was, "A dog's death for a dog."
If the killers' idea (it appears there were at least two, in a car) was to confront Nemtsov, however, why shoot him in the back?If the killers' idea (it appears there were at least two, in a car) was to confront Nemtsov, however, why shoot him in the back?
Another theory advanced by the Investigative Committee (often accused of political bias itself) is that the killers might have been Islamist extremists enraged by his condemnation of the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris.Another theory advanced by the Investigative Committee (often accused of political bias itself) is that the killers might have been Islamist extremists enraged by his condemnation of the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris.
Nemtsov, a famously outspoken politician, made no secret of his Jewish extraction though he was a baptised Christian. But again, where is the credible claim of responsibility?Nemtsov, a famously outspoken politician, made no secret of his Jewish extraction though he was a baptised Christian. But again, where is the credible claim of responsibility?
Who was Boris Nemtsov? Jealous lovers
Other theories
Nemtsov had been involved in a well-publicised anti-corruption campaign in Yaroslavl, a provincial town not far from Moscow, and he also had a number of business interests.Nemtsov had been involved in a well-publicised anti-corruption campaign in Yaroslavl, a provincial town not far from Moscow, and he also had a number of business interests.
Contract murders for commercial reasons have become less common in Moscow under Vladimir Putin but do still occur. However, the killers were taking a massive risk attacking Nemtsov in one of the most heavily guarded areas of Moscow.Contract murders for commercial reasons have become less common in Moscow under Vladimir Putin but do still occur. However, the killers were taking a massive risk attacking Nemtsov in one of the most heavily guarded areas of Moscow.
What of the late politician's love life? Even admirers used the epithet "womaniser" in regard to him.What of the late politician's love life? Even admirers used the epithet "womaniser" in regard to him.
However, the Ukrainian model less than half his age (he was 55) who was with him when he was shot on Friday night could say little about the attack.However, the Ukrainian model less than half his age (he was 55) who was with him when he was shot on Friday night could say little about the attack.
Anna Durytska, who was unhurt, told Russian media she had not seen the killer, who had struck from behind. All she had seen, she said, was a light-coloured car which quickly drove off. Into the dark.Anna Durytska, who was unhurt, told Russian media she had not seen the killer, who had struck from behind. All she had seen, she said, was a light-coloured car which quickly drove off. Into the dark.
Nemtsov killing polarises Russian society What do we know about killing?