Swiss condemn ‘brutal’ killing of Nemtsov
Switzerland’s Department of Foreign Affairs has expressed its dismay at the assassination of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in Moscow. The 55-year-old was shot down on a bridge near the Kremlin on Friday night.
In a statement on Saturday, the department condemned “the brutal murder of a tireless defender of democracy and fighter against corruption” and offered its condolences to Nemtsov’s family. It also urged the Russian authorities to do everything to investigate the crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Nemtsov was considered to be one of the most enigmatic politicians in Russia. He has recently made some enemies among Russian patriots by criticising President Vladimir Putin’s policy on Ukraine.
The former deputy prime minister was supposed to participate in a demonstration on Sunday, along with government opponents protesting against the war in Ukraine. In his many visits to Ukraine, he had supported the new pro-Western leadership in Kiev. Nemtsov had hoped that the spark of revolution would reach Russia.
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