Russia Arrests Two Suspects in Boris Nemtsov's Murder

Russia has arrested two suspects in the murder of Boris Nemtsov, a leader of the opposition to the government, who was killed last Friday, March 8. Alexander Bortnikov, the head of the Federal Security Service and Intelligence of Russia, announced in a statement broadcast on the country's state television that the two suspects were arrested on Saturday, March 16. According to AFP, Mr. Bortnikov identified the arrested individuals as Anzor Gubashev and Zaur Dadayev, both from the Caucasus, and added that Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has also been informed of their arrest. The head of the Federal Security Service emphasized that 'investigations and necessary operations will continue.' Previously, Vladimir Putin had also asked the police and security agencies in Russia to prevent what he called 'shameful' political murders in the country. In remarks broadcast on state television last Wednesday, Mr. Putin told senior officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs that Russia must rid itself of 'shame and tragedies' like the murder of Boris Nemtsov. Meanwhile, several critics of President Putin accuse his government of being involved in the murders of its opponents. Over the past decade, many prominent opponents of Vladimir Putin have been killed in Russia, and many of these murder cases have never been resolved. Boris Nemtsov is the latest figure on this list, who was shot six times from behind on a bridge near the Kremlin in central Moscow on Friday, March 8. Four bullets hit him, killing him instantly. In this context, thousands marched in Moscow in memory of the slain politician opposed to Putin.