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| Russian claims of Islamist killer of Kremlin critic anger supporters | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| MOSCOW — Russian authorities appeared Monday to bolster claims that opposition activist Boris Nemtsov was killed by an Islamist gunman over perceived criticism of Muslims — a theory quickly dismissed by Nemtsov’s backers. | MOSCOW — Russian authorities appeared Monday to bolster claims that opposition activist Boris Nemtsov was killed by an Islamist gunman over perceived criticism of Muslims — a theory quickly dismissed by Nemtsov’s backers. |
| The trajectory of the Russian probe into the Feb. 27 slaying seeks to shift attention away from motives related to Nemtsov’s strident criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin. | The trajectory of the Russian probe into the Feb. 27 slaying seeks to shift attention away from motives related to Nemtsov’s strident criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin. |
| But such an inquiry could further enrage Nemtsov’s supporters, who widely believe that the activist was killed for his political opposition to Putin and who may view the Islamist-directed investigation as a whitewash. | But such an inquiry could further enrage Nemtsov’s supporters, who widely believe that the activist was killed for his political opposition to Putin and who may view the Islamist-directed investigation as a whitewash. |
| Russian news outlets, citing unnamed sources, identified the shooter as Zaur Dadayev, a suspect who on Sunday reportedly confessed to participation in the slaying. | Russian news outlets, citing unnamed sources, identified the shooter as Zaur Dadayev, a suspect who on Sunday reportedly confessed to participation in the slaying. |
| [Watch: The life and protests of Boris Nemtsov] | [Watch: The life and protests of Boris Nemtsov] |
| According to a report on Russian news site Rosbalt, Dadayev was upset by what he saw as Nemtsov’s anti-Islamic stance and criticism of Muslims, including Nemtsov’s denunciations of a deadly attack in January on the Paris satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. The weekly, where 12 people were killed in the assault by two brothers of Algerian descent, had angered Muslims by printing cartoons of the prophet Muhammad. | According to a report on Russian news site Rosbalt, Dadayev was upset by what he saw as Nemtsov’s anti-Islamic stance and criticism of Muslims, including Nemtsov’s denunciations of a deadly attack in January on the Paris satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. The weekly, where 12 people were killed in the assault by two brothers of Algerian descent, had angered Muslims by printing cartoons of the prophet Muhammad. |
| The Rosbalt report said Dadayev enlisted relatives in Moscow help him carry out the hit, which occurred on a bridge within sight of the Kremlin. | The Rosbalt report said Dadayev enlisted relatives in Moscow help him carry out the hit, which occurred on a bridge within sight of the Kremlin. |
| Russian news reports said the suspects were ethnic Chechens and that Dadayev had previously served as a policeman in Chechnya, where Muslim separatists have waged battles against Russian forces for decades. | Russian news reports said the suspects were ethnic Chechens and that Dadayev had previously served as a policeman in Chechnya, where Muslim separatists have waged battles against Russian forces for decades. |
| Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov commented on his Instagram account Sunday that Dadayev was a “true patriot of Russia” and a deeply devout Muslim who “like all Muslims, was very shocked by the actions of Charlie [Hebdo] and by comments supporting the printing of the caricatures.” | Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov commented on his Instagram account Sunday that Dadayev was a “true patriot of Russia” and a deeply devout Muslim who “like all Muslims, was very shocked by the actions of Charlie [Hebdo] and by comments supporting the printing of the caricatures.” |
| On Monday, Putin gave Kadyrov a state award, the Order of Honor, which is bestowed for achievements in public service, the Associated Press reported. | On Monday, Putin gave Kadyrov a state award, the Order of Honor, which is bestowed for achievements in public service, the Associated Press reported. |
| Kadyrov, a Moscow ally who has led the Chechen Republic since 2007, has been widely criticized for a crackdown on dissent. But he has been lauded by Putin for his support in battling Islamist separatists in the region. | Kadyrov, a Moscow ally who has led the Chechen Republic since 2007, has been widely criticized for a crackdown on dissent. But he has been lauded by Putin for his support in battling Islamist separatists in the region. |
| Nemtsov’s supporters expressed shock and anger at the turn the investigation seemed to be taking. | Nemtsov’s supporters expressed shock and anger at the turn the investigation seemed to be taking. |
| “Investigators’ nonsensical theory about Islamist motives in Nemtsov’s killing suit the Kremlin and take Putin out of the firing line,” Ilya Yashin, one of Nemtsov’s closest political allies, tweeted on Monday. | “Investigators’ nonsensical theory about Islamist motives in Nemtsov’s killing suit the Kremlin and take Putin out of the firing line,” Ilya Yashin, one of Nemtsov’s closest political allies, tweeted on Monday. |
| On Sunday, Yashin posted on Twitter: “Our worst fears are coming true.” | On Sunday, Yashin posted on Twitter: “Our worst fears are coming true.” |
| “The trigger man will be blamed,” he wrote, “while those who actually ordered Nemtsov’s killing will go free.” | “The trigger man will be blamed,” he wrote, “while those who actually ordered Nemtsov’s killing will go free.” |
| Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report. | Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report. |
| Russians rally for slain Putin critic | Russians rally for slain Putin critic |