Many Russians Doubt Nemstov’s Killer Will Be Found

A long line of people gathered in Moscow to pay their respects to Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov. Mr. Nemtsov was buried Tuesday after being shot and killed in Moscow days earlier.

He was shot just meters from the Kremlin -- the government center in Moscow, considered one of the most secure places in Russia. A spokesman for the Russian Investigative Committee said officials are using all measures to solve Mr. Nemtsov’s murder.

However, few people believe the person who ordered Mr. Nemtsov’s killing will be revealed. He joins a growing list of critics of Russia under President Vladimir Putin’s leadership who many say have been killed for their work.

On Tuesday, former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov spoke of Mr. Nemtsov’s bravery in being critical of President Putin. He said Mr. Nemtsov could not “tolerate what was happening in Russia.” He said Mr. Nemtsov believed the government was taking away rights from the Russian people.

Those behind the 2006 murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya, a critic of President Putin, have never been caught. 

Sergei Sokolov is head of investigations at “Novaya Gazeta” newspaper, where Ms. Politkovskaya worked. He says five of his reporters and one lawyer were killed since Mr. Putin came to power.

Mr. Sokolov says some of Russia’s media have become intolerant of critics of the current government. He adds that many Russian reporters are beaten for questioning officials. But, he believes it is still possible to find out the truth behind Mr. Nemtsov’s killing.

As Mr. Nemtsov’s body was taken to be buried, his supporters chanted “Russia will be free!” They say Boris Nemtsov fought and died for that belief.

I’m Bob Doughty.

VOA correspondent Daniel Schearf reported this story from Moscow. Ashley Thompson wrote it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.