Motion for a resolution | Doc. 13967 | 28 January 2016
The need to shed light on the background of the murder of Boris Nemtsov
On 27 February 2015, Boris Nemtsov was assassinated by bullet on Bolshoy Moskvoretsky bridge in Central Moscow. By now five alleged perpetrators, men of Chechen origin, were charged with the murder of Mr Nemtsov, while the organisers are still at large and the alleged involvement of the Chechen authorities has not been investigated.
Boris Nemtsov, a former Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, was a highly respected and charismatic leader of the opposition against Russian President Vladimir Putin. The killing took place the night before Mr Nemtsov was due to lead a protest march against the war in Ukraine. Mr. Nemtsov was also close to completing an investigative report on the involvement of the Russian military in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Almost a year after the murder, the Parliamentary Assembly considers that there is a need for the international community to monitor the course and the results of the investigation in order to help ensure that all aspects of the case are properly investigated by the competent authorities. A rapporteur appointed by the Assembly could make a contribution to elucidating the background of the crime, in co-operation with the competent Russian authorities as well as Mr. Nemtsov’s family and friends who fear that only the triggermen will be punished, whereas those who ordered and organised the murder will be protected. The effective, credible investigation of this assassination is crucial not only to Mr Nemtsov’s colleagues and relatives, but also to all Russian citizens who seek justice, democracy and security.