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Pres Komorowski: I hope Nemtsov's killing is explained

PR dla Zagranicy
Roberto Galea 28.02.2015 17:38
Polish President Bronisław Komorowski has spoken out against the brutal killing of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov on Friday night in Moscow.
Russians lay flowers and light candles in memory of Boris Nemtsov at the monument of political prisoners 'Solovetsky Stone' in St. Petersburg, Russia, 28 February. Photo: EPA/ANATOLY MALTSEVRussians lay flowers and light candles in memory of Boris Nemtsov at the monument of political prisoners 'Solovetsky Stone' in St. Petersburg, Russia, 28 February. Photo: EPA/ANATOLY MALTSEV

“I would like to express my great concern and my sincere hope that enough energy is expended to explain the motives of the crime and to explain the circumstances.

"Today I would like to direct my most heartfelt thoughts, especially to his family and friends, but also to all Russians who, like Boris Nemtsov dreamt of a modern and democratic Russia,” Komorowski said at a press conference in Białystok on Saturday.

Other Polish politicians have responded with horror to the murder. Jarosław Kalinowski from ruling coalition member PSL told Polish Radio that th

Russian
Russian investigators stand near the covered body of Boris Nemtsov, with St. Basil's Cathedral seen in the background, in central Moscow, Russia, 28 February 2015. Photo: EPA/PAVEL BEDNYAKOV

is was yet another occasion when a political rival was ruthlessly eliminated.

According to Rafał Grupiński from the ruling Civic Platform, the killing, done just before an anti-government march in Moscow, was a signal from the special services that nobody could raise a hand against Putin, even by organising a demonstration.

Opposition Law and Justice's Joachim Brudziński pointed out that the crime first of all struck that part of the Russian society which stood by the country's right to a democratic state.

SLD's Jerzy Wenderlich also told Polish Radio that the death would not deter Russians and paradoxically could contribute to “increase courage”.

Meanwhile in Warsaw, flowers and candles were laid at the Embassy of the Russian Federation.

Boris Nemtsov was shot in the back by four gunmen on Friday night as he was crossing a major bridge in central Moscow, just 200 metres away from the walls of the Kremlin. In 1998, he served as Russia's Deputy Prime Minister under then-President Boris Yeltsin. Since 2000 had been an outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin. Nemtsov was set to hold a pro-Ukraine rally on Sunday.

In a recent interview, Netsov said that he feared Putin would have him killed for his opposition of the war in Ukraine. (rg/ek)

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