Murder of Putin’s critic Boris Nematsov

Murder of former Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nematsov, an eminent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again shocked the Russian politics. Prominent opposition leader Nematsov had already expressed fear of being murdered for criticizing Putin for the Russian role in Ukraine crisis. US President Barak Obama has demanded a fair and transparent inquiry of the murder. Condemning the murder, Putin announced to investigate the incident under the supervision of the president.  He said the murder of the opposition leader before the proposed protest on Sunday is an instigating incident. Nematsov was to lead this. Putin has expressed fear this was done by the hired assassins. Nematsov was the most prominent political leader murdered in 15-year reign of Putin. According to the police, assassins murdered Nematsov while crossing the bridge over the river Moskava. He was shot four bullets. His companion, a Ukraine woman was left unhurt. Assassins coming in the white car are being traced. On Sunday, a new revelation in the murder of Nematsov has come out. CCTV footage of the spot has been released. It is clear the assassins were hiding to murder the former deputy prime minister. The footage shows the assassins were already present on the bridge and waiting for Nemetsov. The footage shows assassin’s activities seeing the opposition leader and his female friend heading towards the bridge. This incident explains that hatred, mistrust and intolerance have gripped the politics to such extent that the evils even do not spare their senior Russian politicians. Various stories relating to the murder of Nematsov have come out. While Boris Nematsov was alive, attempts were made to defame him, like publicising his telephonic conversation. Nematsov’s murder is such an issue that may seldom get its conclusion. Murder series in Russian politics is not new. Earlier a Russian high profile Galina Statovaetova was murdered in November 1998. Ukraine President Petro Posheshko has raised questions on Russian President Vladimir Putin over the murder of Nematsov. He said Nematsov had proofs of Russian hand in Ukraine war and therefore he was murdered. Posheshko said that Boris had said he will disclose the Russian role in Ukraine War but he was murdered before disclosing it.

- Anil Narendra