Opposition To March In Memory Of Putin Critic

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Russia's opposition is expected to march through Moscow today in memory of the country's former deputy prime minister Boris Nemtsov, who was a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin.

Thousands of people have already laid flowers and lit candles on a bridge near the Kremlin where Mr Nemtsov was gunned down.

The 55-year-old was shot in the back several times just before midnight on Friday.

The brazen assassination is the latest in a string of murders of opposition figures in Mr Putin's 15 years in power and recalls the shooting of anti-Kremlin reporter Anna Politkovskaya, who was killed in October 2006.

Mr Nemtsov's murder has increased concern about Russia's future among opponents of President Putin.

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Gallery: Profile: Who Was Boris Nemtsov?

Rose to prominence under Boris Yeltsin in the 1990s and grew into a fierce critic of Vladimir Putin. He was also an environmentalist, a nuclear scientist and father of four

In 1997 he was made deputy prime minister and put in charge of economic reform. The economic crisis of 1998 cost him his job in parliament and any presidential hopes he had

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In 1999 he co-founded the Union of Right Forces (SPS) which began promisingly, but later lost supporters when it moved from conditional support to open opposition. In 2003 the party failed to reach the 5% threshold needed to enter parliament. Nemtsov resigned as SPS leader

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Founded several opposition movements after leaving the Russian parliament in 2003 and served as the co-chair of the opposition Republican Party of Russia since 2012

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Played a major part in the large opposition marches in Moscow after Russia's controversial 2011 elections. He was arrested for taking part in the protests and detained in 2011 for 15 days

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Mr Putin has condemned the death and blamed the latest killing on enemies trying to discredit the Kremlin.

In a message to Mr Nemtsov's mother, he said: "Everything will be done so that the organisers and perpetrators of a vile and cynical murder get the punishment they deserve."

Amnesty International said: "There is already a list of unsolved political murders and attacks in Russia.

"We cannot allow Boris Nemtsov to become just another name on this list."

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Gallery: Tributes Left At Scene Of Boris Nemtsov Murder

Supporters of Boris Nemtsov have left flowers at the scene of his murder near St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow

The Russian opposition politician, a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, was shot four times in the back within sight of the Kremlin

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Meanwhile, the White House has demanded that the investigation is "prompt, impartial and transparent".

President Barack Obama, who met Mr Nemtsov in 2009, described him as a "tireless advocate" for the rights of Russian citizens, and cited his work in fighting corruption.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the Russian people had been deprived of a champion of their rights and that Mr Nemtsov was greatly admired in Britain, not least by Margaret Thatcher.

"I am shocked and sickened by the callous murder of Boris Nemtsov as he walked in the heart Moscow," he said.

"This despicable act must be fully, rapidly and transparently investigated, and those responsible brought to justice."

Investigators say gunmen fired at least eight shots from a car as Mr Nemtsov walked with a woman named by Russian media as 23-year-old Ukrainian model Anna Duritskaya, who was unhurt.

Footage aired by Russian TVC channel from a distant camera showed the suspected killer running along the road and jumping into a waiting car which then sped off.

The camera angle left Mr Nemtsov and Ms Duritskaya hidden from view.

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Malu Rasanya