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TWO SUSPECTS HAVE been arrested over the killing of Russian opposition activist Boris Nemtsov, who was gunned down near the Kremlin in a brazen assassination that shocked the country, the state security agency said today.
The arrests come a week after the longtime critic of President Vladimir Putin was shot four times in the back as he strolled with his girlfriend along a bridge in the heart of the capital, near the presidency and iconic Red Square.
“Two suspects were arrested today in connection with this crime, they are Anzor Gubashev and Zaur Dadayev, and the head of state has been informed,” the head of the FSB federal security service Alexander Bortnikov told state television.
He said the two men were from the Caucasus region.
“The necessary operational and investigative procedures are continuing,” said Bortinkov.
Assassination
The latest killing of a high-profile government critic under Putin’s rule prompted an outpouring of international condemnation and stunned members of an opposition who blamed the Kremlin for whipping up hatred against anyone who expresses dissent by referring to them as “traitors”.
The 55-year-old, a renowned anti-corruption crusader who served as Boris Yeltsin’s first deputy prime minister in the 1990s, was shot dead just two days before he was to lead a major anti-government rally.
However the protest march — called to denounce Russia’s alleged role in the Ukraine crisis — instead became a massive memorial for Nemtsov, with tens of thousands swarming the streets of Moscow in the largest opposition gathering since a wave of anti-Kremlin protests in 2011-12.
Putin, whose rule has seen the steady suppression of independent media and opposition parties, had promised an all-out effort to catch those responsible for an act which he called a “provocation”.
Theories have proliferated since the killing over why Nemtsov was targeted.
Some suggest he was assassinated for criticising Russia’s role in the Ukraine conflict, others for his condemnation of January’s killings at the Charlie Hebdo satirical weekly in Paris by Islamist gunmen.
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They’ll probably be shot by Jack Rubyovski while in custody.
Stuff like this makes me paranoid and nervous about the world we live in, saying that though nothing shocks me anymore, stuff like this has been happening for centuries.
It’s utterly opportunistic and self serving to paint the late Mr Nemtsov as an “opposition leader” and “anti corruption crusader” etc. His party failed to secure even 5% of the popular vote in the last election and consequently had no seats in the Duma. His political record in Russia is that he presided over the most disastrous economic policies of the 1990s which decimated the country. The reality is that for the vast majority of Russians the current president is the foremost “anti corruption crusader”, having wrested back from the odious oligarchs much of their ill gotten gains during a time when Mr Nemtsov actually had political powers. It is worth noting that Mr Nemtsov was sacked by Putin for gross incompetence. He subsequently went into banking. His murder was a tragedy and outrage however and hopefully the killers will be brought to justice.
Exactly John
It serves no benefit for Putin to kill this man as he wasn’t a threat politicly. It does whoever serve the wests anti-Putin propaganda machine which is in full swing demonising Putin.
This has all the hallmarks of the
Criminals
In
Action
I’ve seen you argue this before glen and i reckon it’s just as plausible as any other scenario, at the same putin has previous. It’s a murky murky world and it’s only real life james bonds and secret agencies that know the whole truth. Right now I reckon Mossad the CIA obviously the brits have people in Ireland observing god only know’s and it’s all “covert”. So who really know’s what’s real and what’s staged to sway public opinion particularly when america’s involved because they’re economy is dependant on arms dealers.
Two green thumbs from me ,this is what people say when they look behind the headline.
extra coin in the coffers as well when it comes to budget time for the cia and other intelligence agencies..
First off Glen, I’m not saying Putin did (or didn’t) have any involvement in this killing – none of us knows either way at this stage. Its complete nonsense to try and suggest that Putin had no motive to carry out the killing though – Nemtsov was about to blow the lid on the full extent of Russia’s involvement in Ukraine (going right back to the early stage of the Maidan protests) which could have proved very embarrassing for Putin to put it mildly, and could potentially have dealt him a devastating blow on the international stage.
Well said “comrade” john! In sure the people of the Ukraine would agree with you! P/s how’s the job in the embassy going???
Avina
Putin is already disliked on the international stage so what difference would information that this guy allegedly had.
Spot on!
Tell me you’re joking Glen! If, for example, evidence came out that Putin had effectively orchestrated the clampdown on maidan protesters, or ordered that arms/advisers be sent to East Ukraine etc., that there wouldn’t be huge international and domestic embarrassment and/or consequences for Putin? Not even you’re that naive!
Just a reminder in case we forget the great US OF A did shoot down an Iranian passenger jet in the 80s so everything is not always as it seems.
Avina
As usual your comments are full of unfounded allegations and “if’s”
Glen, the precise detail of what Nemtsov’s planned report might have contained is speculation, but the fact that he was working on it and that it would detail Russia’s involvement in Ukraine right back to Maidan is not, as confirmed by his own colleagues. We also know that Nemtsov was sufficiently concerned to have fears that Putin might have him killed – this is a matter of record. I only hope Nemtsov’s colleagues are brave enough to continue his work where he left off.
Yup Paul they did and it’s known how and why they mistakenly shot it down. Korean air was downed by soviets too but difference was they had eyes on and shot it down knowing what it was.
As for downing in Ukraine. Russian system, Russian operators, snuck back into russia and the crew either shot or hidden. Difference is russia does not acknowledge the muder of civilians and war crimes.
Now as for John saying he got 5% in polls. Not sure I’ve not read up but 5% in a Russian election under putin? ?? Come on they are as free as north Korean elections :) not only this but you go on what a f up he made of economy. News for you buddy. The Soviet union was built on poverty. When it fell apart there was nothing no money nothing. He did not f it up. Simply nothing to work with after the communists ruined the place.
Now russia still lives in poverty trap 300$ a month wage several billionaires made by putin to consolidate his power. Money robbed from people. Economy built on gas not on building up any other part of economy and now his house of cards is shaky.
How is russia John? You were meant to be moving there to get away from the hypocrisy of the west. All going well there yeah?? Like that other muppet from sligo saying he was out there but tagged in pictures to sligo :)
Avina
It’s still speculation
Do you think that Nemtsov’s report was about to dramatically reveal that Putin has had absolutely no involvement in Ukraine?? Cop on Glen.
@Deegan. It wasn’t so long ago that Sinn Fein were getting less than 5% support in elections. That doesn’t mean you can dismiss Boris Nemtsov because his party had no seats in the Duma.
Avina
We have heard all your conspiracy theory’s about Russia and Putin before, I guess if you have no hard proof you can always kill someone and hope some people will swallow it, you could also shoot down a plane load of people for the same reason.
I’m not saying it happened like that but, surprise, surprise, the fragments of missile recovered are not from a BUC, they are from a much smaller missile that had to be air launched.
The regime police in Kiev are doing a great job of beating the $hit out of protesters in Kiev, desperate criminals will resort to anything.
As usual you’re way off the mark Gerard – I’ve never expressed an opinion either way as to who killed Nemtsov or who shot down MH370.
BTW, please provide a link to back up your claim that the investigation team found that the missile that shot down MH370 was an air-to-air missile and not a ground-to-air missile. I’ll wait, but if you can’t come up with one I’ll assume you made it up.
I have to laugh at how different the Putinista’s reaction would have been if for example Edward Snowden was murdered after saying he was about to reveal more information about US military operations, and all the CCTV cameras in the area happened to be switched off or not working etc.. One thing is for sure though, the likes of you and Glen wouldn’t have been leaping to the defence of Obama and saying he had no reason to kill Snowden, or that the KGB must have done it to make America look bad! If you’re truly honest with yourself you’ll admit this. The double standards are priceless!
:oD
“I’m not saying it happened like that but, surprise, surprise, the fragments of missile recovered are not from a BUC, they are from a much smaller missile that had to be air launched.”
The black boxes have, unfortunately for the pro-Russians, ruled out all but the heaviest air-to-air missiles which were simply not deployed on any aircraft in the area at the time. MH17 suffered a single catastrophic aerial break-up which is entirely impossible with most air-to-air missiles. Most of these weapons work by homing in on heat or infra-red signatures and the engines are by far the biggest generators of heat and IR signatures on any aircraft. Any air-to-air missile potentially deployed in the area would have targeted the engines, destroying the engine pods on a commercial aircraft leaving the main body relatively intact. This is inconsistent with the results of the black box.
When it comes to the potential repercussions of Nemtsov’s pending revelations, the big one is that they could have given the US the justification they have been looking for to begin supplying weaponry to the Ukrainian Army. More likely though would be justification to pile on more economic sanctions which have left the Russian economy in a sorry state.
Avina
Your link is on the way, why do you say the cameras were turned off ? Can you provide evidence of this or did you just make it up ?
It was widely reported Gerard. Looking forward to seeing your link lad…
Russia Says Security Cameras Weren’t Pointing at Nemtsov Shooting
Avina
You did express opinions on who shot down MH17 and who killed Nemtsov, that the worst of being a $hit stirrer that spreads smear campaigns, you later have to try cover your lying ass.
http://rt.com/news/199891-dutch-investigation-mh17-crash/
I could give you something better but, you don’t deserve it, I know how much you hate RT, so suck it up until you can see the autopsy reports for yourself and what was found in some of the body’s.
That’s complete bullshit and you know it Gerard – you show me one single post where I’ve ever claimed to know who either shot down MH17 or murdered Nemtsov. Direct challenge to you – back your claim up or admit you’re lying.
Re. your link, you’re right, RT is nothing more than a Kremlin propaganda outlet, but either way the link doesn’t even say what you claimed it said (that investigators had proved that it was an air-to-air missile and not a ground-to-air missile that downed MH17). I’m calling you out on your bullshit – you made up that claim and now can’t back it up.
And what’s the added cr@p about autopsy reports? Would you like to share what you know or did you make that up too??
Gerard’s link has nothing about fragments of an air to air missile having been found
But it actually has the following key statement by the Dutch investigator
“Going by the intelligence available, it is my opinion that a shooting down by a surface to air missile remains the most likely scenario.”
Avina
There are thousands of articles in many languages in papers and all over the net claiming Putin is responsible for Maiden and everything else, its not enough to get you murdered. He did like taking money from people and having lavish holidays in the most expensive hotels in Dubai and other places, with very expensive and beautiful escorts, he was a man that promised a lot but delivered nothing for the money.
He was such a joke until his death that the police would not even bother arresting him in Russia.
Weak effort Ger. Nemtsov may very well have had hard evidence – he’s hardly likely to have published a report with just idle speculation.
Care to respond to stephen’s comment about your own goal above?
Once again you’ve been exposed as a liar and bullshitter.
AvinIts
best you hear it from the Dutch, they have already told the Russians and others, probably why Europe has lost its appetite for war in Ukraine, the Dutch have now asked for all the Russian radar and satellite coverage of the attack, they are no longer working on the assumption that it was a buck, because of what they found in some of the corpses.
Gerard, its a full-on investigation – its great that they’re examining all avenues! I’ll accept the findings whatever they are – will you? You still haven’t backed up your earlier claim(s) – I’m finding it hard to take you seriously at this stage…
You gonna say what they found in the corpses? Are you psychic or in personal contact with the investigation team, or is this just more GD bullshit?
Results of the investigation are due in October. Not looking good for Gerard’s Dear Leader Putin, but let’s wait
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/04/shards-of-truth-in-mh17-investigation.html
Unfortunately Stephen, we both know what the response of the Putineens on here will be when the report is published in October – if the investigators find that Kiev were responsible they’ll be all over it like a rash, but if they find that the rebels were responsible there’ll be claims of “western CIA orchestrated conspiracy, whitewash, yada yada yada”…
Not one of them will commit in advance to respecting the findings of the investigation, whatever they may be. Double standards.
Avina
I’m sorry you don’t like my honesty but, to be fair I don’t like your lies either.
You try to be as slippery as a well oiled eel and twice as duplicitous, ” You did express opinions on who shot down MH17 and who killed Nemtsov ” A quote from my post above yours.
http://www.thejournal.ie/mh17-site-search-1602108-Aug2014/
I repeat, you have posted blatant lies in your opinion pieces, theory’s that you can not back up.
A liar needs a good memory, you don’t have one, I have a record of all your posts on the journal.ie because I copy all that I post on.
You did actually state that Russia was responsible for MH17 and that it was a BUK.
Do you have comprehension issues Gerard? Please tell me which of my posts in that thread you think involves me saying that Putin shot down MH17. Take your time….
Jason Culligan
No, you are wrong again, soot and explosives residue on the skin indicate the missile exploded no more than 5Mtr from the front lower section of the aircraft, a BUK detonates above its target and if there was a misfire, at 5Mtr it would have disintegrated that whole section of the aircraft.
” The 9М38М1 missile, which is used in the “BUK-M1″ complexes, consists of the fragmentation warhead 9Н314, which weighs 70 kg In its base there are 32 kg of sub-projectiles (4500 sub-projectiles, each weighing 8 g in the shape of an I-section [something between the shape of Н and Х] and of 1500 cubes, each weighing 4 g) ”
It is not possible that it was a BUK and the rods being found are not from a BUK.
I do look forward to seeing how the $ will work out when most nations don’t have to pay for oil and gas with it, America will have to tighten its belt and pay big for its criminal actions to protect the petro$.
It is not possible that it was a BUK
The Dutch investigator is already saying that is more than likely a surface to air missile. Gerard, try keeping your powder dry until the results and report is released in October
Gerard, after you accused me of lying I challenged you to put your money where your mouth was and provide a link to show where I have ever claimed that Putin shot down MH17 or had Nemtsov killed. So far you have abjectly failed to do so, despite your attempt to bluff your way through with an irrelevant link – you’re a bluffer and a spoofer.
Avina
I find it hard to take you seriously, you are not a paragon of unbiased opinions and views, certainly no trusted person to be pampered with any kind of deference to an auto assumption of being right.
Stephen O’S
No, they have said it is more than likely a missile, they now say they are not ruling out an air attack, they have asked for the Russian radar data of the incident, aircraft use AAM’s.
Avina
I suggest you look up your past posts, it may help you comprehend, you gave a lot of your “expert technical opinion ” of why it was a BUK and why it was the Russians.
I never held your opinion in high regard anyway, I see now even you don’t.
Stephen O’S
That’s Vice News and some bloggers, in fairness many have said that but, the Russians never did, it seems to be just another piece of misinfo like ” It was a Russian BUK ”
I have searched long and hard, there is nothing there about the Russians saying this.
Stephen O’S
Yes that was a big mistake, assuming the Russians would roll over and the world would accept without evidence that it was a Russian BUK, now they have to roll over and publish the truth, their black op backfired.
Avina
Hear say and misinfo, don’t bother providing a link, all that matters here is that the Russians themselves did not say it.
Gerard. You are coming unhinged. You are claiming categorically that it wasn’t a BUK surface to air missile that downed the aircraft, citing that there is credible evidence of a air to air missiles being used yet all you can produce is a link to a piece written in a blog by a pro-Russian blogger in Crimea who is neither qualified nor had any access to the evidence. Just Wait until the results of the official Dutch crash investigation in October.
All waffle and no substance Gerard. I will ask you for the third and final time – show me any comment I’ve posted in which I say that Russia shot down MH17. I know (and maybe you now know it too) that you won’t be able to do this as I have never made that claim.
I have said that (based on the available evidence) I think its far more likely that a BUK brought down MH17 rather than another aircraft. I’ve also said that I find it unusual that rebels claimed to have shot down a cargo plane shortly before news of the loss of MH17 broke, but other than that I’ve always kept an open mind about who may have fired the weapon, given the propaganda and counter-propaganda. I’ve said on many occasions that I will accept the findings of the investigation team, whatever they may be.
Neither have I expressed any opinion as to who may have ordered or carried out Nemtsov’s murder – in the absence of any hard evidence I’m keeping an open mind on this too.
This is your last chance to prove me wrong and salvage some credibility for yourself.
Avina
statements are being suppressed, I refer to the BBC video and many other incidences, its like your favourite piece of censorship, you only read some media. It is not an investigation, it is a cover up.
Now that both Malaysia and Russia have a presence in the investigation, a proposition is made ; will you settle for ” It was the rebels but it was a mistake” NO. ; Will you settle for ” Kiev did it but it was a mistake “. That is not an investigation.
It is a conflict of interests to allow the Dutch to be in control, it is very possible that as a NATO country they were involved, everyone knows the plane was shot down, what we want to know is who did it and why did the Dutch not want Malaysia and Russia involved in the investigation and why witnesses are being hidden from the inquiry.
After a very professional investigation no doubt!
@john Yeah, I was sure that both their names were going to be Patsy when I read the article.
I’m sure Putin had to spend literally minutes finding out who did it.
What sort of an Investigation limits itself to 5 possible motives, none of which implicate Putin? From RT today “Investigators are looking into five possible motives behind Nemtsov’s assassination. According to Vladimir Markin, spokesman for the Investigative Committee, the murder may have been a provocation to destabilize the political situation in Russia.”
http://rt.com/news/238653-suspects-nemtsov-murder-detained/
I’d imagine the investigators are wise indeed to ignore the possibility that Putin is involved.
John Cotter
Its not fair to judge all investigations by those conducted in Ireland, I’m thinking of Ian Baily and more than a dozen other cock ups.
Stephen, the simple answer is the kind of investigation which Putin himself declared he would take personal leadership of. A person who’s influencing an investigation into the murder of one of their key rivals is hardly going to implicate themselves.
Jason, you are joking ? A key rival ? He could hardly get arrested in Russia, why the hell would they want to murder him, his death was the only thing that got him any notice.
Stephen O’Sullivan
I don’t know why you would think Putin had him killed or even why Putin should be a suspect but, here is all the proof you need that Putin did it.
Gerard. Link doesn’t work but I am sure you got it straight from Russophile.com
Stephen O’S
The link works, try it again.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B-69n8CW8AEdMn-.jpg
http://www.globalresearch.ca/how-the-malaysian-airlines-mh17-boeing-was-shot-down-examination-of-the-wreckage/5435094
There is something about it in this link. Your reference to Russophile.com shows your bigotry, it was bigots like you accusing another country of these murders that has led to more deaths in Ukraine. The Dutch have refuted claims made by Ukraine and some western media about two months ago that the investigation found it was a BUK that had shot it down.
http://youtu.be/j2JwQAGEM38
It is not even possible that it was a BUK that shot it down, in light of this the investigation has now asked for the Russian radar data of the incident.
Gerard, you are posting material from a blog written by Boris Rozhin, a pro-Russian blogger from Crimea with no access to any of the evidence collected at the crash site. Just wait until the results of the Dutch crash investigation who actually have access to the evidence.
Two more victims of Putin’s purge.
And what did I say last week. “They will have a couple of Chechins lined up for this”. And low and behold two Chechins arrested. I should go into business tell the future.
I see the anti-Russian mob are still trying to fool all the people all the time
Constructive contribution as always James. Play the ball not the man.
If there’s going to be a trial, it should be interesting.
it’ll be very showy
I’m sure they’ll fall down some stairs in the police station before the trial starts.
Luke Evans
Unlike Ireland where there are no cameras in court, in case people might see the truth about our legal system.
There are public galleries Gerard – anyone can go in and watch a case in progress.
Not so Avina, all cases in the family court are held in camera, as are any in any other court if the judge or government desires.
That is for a very good reason Gerard – family court cases are usually extremely personal and its unfair on the people involved to expect such cases to be heard in the full public glare.
Re. any other case its unusual for a judge to exclude the public from a case and its only ever done for specific stated reasons.
Avina
If that was so there would be no penalty for talking about it later, there are other reasons.
http://youtu.be/nXUGMntxWRg
Wrong country Gerard!
Avina
You obviously chose to ignore the same situation that was a major issue in the news here, children in HSE care dying and disappearing from care.
No sure Edna would have the liathroidi for it but Shatter or Big Phil, there are two Putinesque individuals.
It is ridicolous really and funny indeed. EVERYBODY KNOWS that Putin was involved and let some men in need of money doing his dirty work. While he was I assume topless on some kind of horse somewhere close to his 235 palaces with a huge grin they arrested two little fish. And nobody goes close to Putin OF COURSE, totally scared of him and he knows that…. ridicolous really!
Maybe it was the real Oswald or his double?
have your say