Anti Putin opposition leader shot and killed in russia

Now we all know opposing Putin in Russia is like signing a death sentence. Although in recent years Putin has seem to welcome opposition it is still very risky. Putin has too many loyalists. Any of them can decide to take you out. And apparently this seems like one.

Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin, was shot and killed late Friday in the shadow of the Kremlin only two days before he was to speak at a major anti-government rally.

Putin however quickly condemned the killing and took personal control of the investigation, according to his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov. He said it may have been intended as a provocation ahead of the opposition march set for Sunday.

Nemtsov, 55, was shot four times in the back from a passing car as he walked with a female friend across a bridge in central Moscow about 11:40 p.m., the Interior Ministry said. At least seven shots were fired by several assailants. His companion was not hurt.

In the aftermath of the brazen assault, near one of the most heavily guarded areas of Moscow, the colorful onion-domed spires of St. Basil loomed above the bridge where Nemtsov's body lay under a sheet of plastic.

His lawyer. Vadim Prokhorov, said Nemtsov had told police about threats he had received on social networks, but authorities did nothing to protect him.

President Obama said the United States "condemns the brutal murder" of Nemtsov, and he urged the Russian government "to conduct a prompt, impartial, and transparent investigation into the circumstances of his murder and ensure that those responsible for this vicious killing are brought to justice."

He called Nemtsov "a tireless advocate for his country, seeking for his fellow Russian citizens the rights to which all people are entitled."

"I admired Nemtsov's courageous dedication to the struggle against corruption in Russia and appreciated his willingness to share his candid views with me when we met in Moscow in 2009," Obama said in a statement. "We offer our sincere condolences to Boris Efimovich's family, and to the Russian people, who have lost one of the most dedicated and eloquent defenders of their rights."

Secretary of State John Kerry echoed the president's sentiments, saying he was "shocked and saddened" by the news.

"Boris Nemtsov committed his life to a more democratic, prosperous, open Russia, and to strong relationships between Russia and its neighbors and partners, including the United States," he said in a statement. "He served his country in many roles – in the federal government, in the parliament, as Governor of Nizhniy Novgorod, and as a political leader and activist. In every post, he sought to reform and open Russia, and to empower the Russian people to have a greater say in the life of their country."

The killing of the brash, sharp-tongued Nemtsov, who had served as first deputy prime minister under the late President Boris Yeltsin, quickly dominated Russian-language social media and Twitter posts, most taking on a decidedly political coloration.

State TV stressed that Nemtsov was slain while walking "with a young woman who was born in Kiev," the capital of Ukraine, Agence-France Presse tweeted.

Contribution: USA today