The United States Embassy in Moscow urged Russia on Thursday to find the people who organized the murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov who was gunned down near the Kremlin five years ago.
Nemtsov, one of President Vladimir Putin's most vocal critics, was killed in 2015 as he walked home across a bridge near the Kremlin's walls. He had been working on a report examining Russia's role in the conflict in Ukraine.
Russia jailed a man in 2017 for 20 years for the murder and handed down terms of between 11 and 19 years to four other men convicted of being his accomplices.
But the late politician's allies, who are due to hold a commemorative march in his memory in the Russian capital this weekend, have criticized the investigation for failing to identify the people who ordered the killing.
Bart Gorman, charges d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, was one of several foreign diplomats on Thursday who paid their respects at the bridge and laid flowers.
"...We again call on Russian authorities to investigate those who organised and ordered this horrific crime," U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Ross wrote on Twitter.
Nemtsov "remains an inspiration to all who strive for justice, democracy, and a government accountable to the people," she wrote.
Czech authorities said earlier this month they would rename the square in Prague where Russia's embassy is located after Nemtsov.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
