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Nemtsov a possible 'sacrificial victim,' investigators say

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By LYNN BERRY

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Putin would really have to trust a whole lot of people to get a hit like this done. Although likelihood of him coming to account, if found out, is scarce.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Russia has a ton a surveillance cameras just like any other city. Sort of surprising that no video has come out yet.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

" Russian investigators, politicians and political commentators on state television on Saturday covered much ground in looking for the reason Nemtsov was gunned down in the heart of Moscow, but they sidestepped one possibility — that he was murdered for his relentless opposition to Putin"

You knew this was coming. Russia is one of the world's leaders in conspiracy theory, except of cause when the conspiracy implicates a certain Russian president or his cronies. That would never make the evening news on state television.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

"The car used in the attack has been found, the plates are from a Muslim area in Southern Russia."

So is it possible the KGB procured a car from there to point the finger at Muslim terrorists? Just asking.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Putin's totalitarianism feathers many nests, the occupants of which will be keen to preserve the status quo.

Don't expect any answers.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Maybe it was Islamic extremists who killed Boris Nemtsov. Or someone offended by his love life. Or agents of a Western power that will stop at nothing to disfigure President Vladimir Putin’s image and drive him from power.

Or maybe it was Obama, or the tooth fairy, or maybe The Dalai Lama. Amazing that Putin can get away with this.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Putin used three years ago when he warned that his political opponents were planning to kill one of their own and then blame it on his government.

It's just such a mad, mad, mad, mad, mad world over there in Russia.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Putin was a former KGB and the"sacrificial victims !" list is piling? Allegedly speaking, the world is watching the making of a monster who Put-in every ounce of trick without shame. The question is in what condition that allow Putin to has free hands over Russia by making a mockery to the West? Well thanks to a reset button, Obama's foreign policy, and spineless chaotic E.U & U.N. that paved this path. What ever the spinner might say, for more Russia's drama will follow.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Violent deaths of Putin opponents April 2003 - Liberal politician Sergey Yushenkov assassinated near his Moscow home

July 2003 - Investigative journalist Yuri Shchekochikhin died after 16-day mysterious illness

July 2004 - Forbes magazine Russian editor Paul Klebnikov shot from moving car on Moscow street, died later in hospital

October 2006 - Investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya shot dead outside her Moscow apartment

November 2006 - Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko died nearly three weeks after drinking tea laced with polonium in London hotel

March 2013 -Boris Berezovsky, former Kremlin power broker turned Putin critic, found dead in his UK home

http://m.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31677506

The list of greatest hits.

Yup, someone's sure trying to make Dear Leader Putin look very bad. Tinfoil on standby.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

A political assassination?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The very fact that police and Russian media would blame the west for this murder shows the rottenness at the core of this state.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Burning Bush: Do some light reading on RasPutin, apparently Putin's grandfather if you believe the endless diatribe of conspiracies about Putin that are touted by people in the West, including this latest one.

Oh I don't really have a horse in the race. But ruling someone out as "too obvious" isn't much in the way of standard law enforcement practice.

Mostly I'm going to sit back, kick up my feet, grab some popcorn, and watch the circus unfold. Hopefully it will last a couple of weeks and we can see some choice comments from the Russians. I'm already loving the comments by the leader of Chechnya. Let's put as many mics as we can in front of Russia and see what happens.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Heh, Super is right. The farce of this "investigation" is going to be up there with world class comedy entertainment such as watching climate change Deniers speak or Republicans explaining a wide stance in the bathroom.

Late night comedians should be giving their salaries back at choice moments like these, they're not exactly having to work for a living.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Probably a quartet of Russian soldiers "on vacation." Seems a whole lot of "vacationing" is going on in Russia at the moment.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The weird thing is all this is that the Western Press has suddenly purged any and all mention of the main eyewitness to the whole event, a 23 year old Ukrainian model.

Google, my friend, is your answer to this "weirdness." As CNN, the NY Times, and other western press outlets have noted, apparently she was his girlfriend of three years - feel free to be jealous - and they were within view of his apartment - on the route he normally took home- when he was shot.

CNN also notes,

despite the fact that initial eyewitness reports stated that the killers were driving a white car without license plates, by noon the next day, RT was claiming that the car had been found, now with license plates from the Muslim republic of Ingushetia.

Putin's men are wasting no time here. Then again, how many white cars could there be in Russia?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Burning Bush

The weird thing is all this is that the Western Press has suddenly purged any and all mention of the main eyewitness to the whole event, a 23 year old Ukrainian model.

Weren't you claiming she was his girlfriend yesterday ?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

A lot of silly things written here, and nobody answered a very simple question: why? Why Putin needed Nemtsvov killed? Nemtsov presented no threat to him, just another fringe politician who talked a lot, but could do nothing. What were his achievements as a politician? No real support from voters, only a small and dwindling group of followers.

And who benefitted from the Nemstvov killing? Obvious:

The mourning march could serve to galvanize the beleaguered and marginalized opposition

Exactly. A bunch of marginals in desperate need of "martyr" to get attention and support from the West.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Asakaze,

Because Putin has been systematically eliminating all dissenters to his dictatorship. It isn't rocket science. I've posted some of the greatest hits above.

It's Putin's new wave of blurring the lines to the point of abject farce, like his annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict he is fighting in plain brown wrappers in eastern Ukraine.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Putin's going down his list, checkin' it twice ...

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Madverts Violent deaths of Putin opponents April 2003 - Liberal politician Sergey Yushenkov assassinated near his Moscow home July 2003 - Investigative journalist Yuri Shchekochikhin died after 16-day mysterious illness July 2004 - Forbes magazine Russian editor Paul Klebnikov shot from moving car on Moscow street, died later in hospital October 2006 - Investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya shot dead outside her Moscow apartment

1 Opponents ?? They were not famous not dangerous for Vladimir.

2 After "democracy" 90-th in Russia had a lot of problems with terrorists and criminals. So some journalists and businessman were killed in Putin's time.

It's truth. But during Boris Yeltsin era - it's was quite normal. Really HUGE amount of businessman journalists and oppositon leaders were killed and just dissapeared in that time. But Yeltsin was US friend. So - no scandals.

During Putin's era it became a rare case .

November 2006 - Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko died nearly three weeks after drinking tea laced with polonium in London hotel March 2013 -Boris Berezovsky, former Kremlin power broker turned Putin critic, found dead in his UK home

It happens in UK by the way. Not in Russia. And by the way British&US secret services NEVER killing in political purposes ?

Litvinenko, Politkovskaya , Nemtsov - at the moment of death they were zeros from political point of view.

staying alive, they could do nothing to help the democracy in Russia

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Boris Nemtsov was a man of conscience, a sound judge of ethical and moral principles.

Boris Nemtsov was also a relentless critic of President Vladimir Putin dictatorship and corrupt disfunctional government. Boris Nemtsov style of directly challenging Putins illiberalism, vehemently criticizing the Soviet style propaganda at home and increasingly abroad was seriously showing signs of derailing Putins agenda, government and leadership.

Boris Nemtsov was strongly opposed to Putins chaotic foreign policy in Ukrainian,   his total control of media and constant abuse of ordinary Russians basic human rights. Putins dead hand is all over the brutal slaying of Boris Nemtsov, callously shot in the back directly in view of the Kremlin walls. Grotesquely Boris Nemtsov body was left sprawled in public view as an example and a lesson for political opponents and detractors.

An example and overriding motive for Putins ordering Boris Nemtsov death can be read in the broadsheet Telegraph piece below. Shame on all the odious cyber Kremlin creepy crawly Putin apologists who continue in acts of fragerent denial to trample over Boris Nemtsov lifeless body.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/vladimir-putin/10581829/Sochi-Olympics-Nothing-but-a-monstrous-scam-says-Kremlin-critic.html

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Had the KGB done this they would've had an Oswald type patsy ready to take the heat.

And in tomorrow's news....

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If Putin himself didn't order the hit. He sure as heck created the atmosphere of open season on the national traitors of the "fifth column".

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/putins-new-war-on-traitors

Putin backers now deride liberal opposition as "the fifth column," a 1930s term commonly used to identify groups working against the interests of the country from within.

"Purge the fifth column," read a giant banner carried by the members of a major group, the National Liberation Movement. Other banners blamed leaders of the Russian opposition, such as Alexey Navalny and Mikhail Khodorkovsky, for trying to stage a Maidan-style revolution in Russia. "Enemies of Russia want Maidan| said a poster flying next to an effigy of Navalny dressed as a clown. Speaking from the main stage, poet Ivan Kupriyanov said the "fifth columnists" were "non-humans."

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/pro-putin-crowds-bash-u-191144353.html

The lack of outrage from our Russian representatives on this board is telling. Political murder in the heart of Moscow...

Cui Bono - That's what the Roman judges always asked.

Watch as Putin's approval rating soars even further as Russians grow increasingly disgusted with Putin's enemies who killed an innocent man in for political reasons.

No doubt. So, Putin does benefit... thanks for clarifying.

After "democracy" 90-th in Russia had a lot of problems with terrorists and criminals. So some journalists and businessman were killed in Putin's time.

You said it.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

It's not tin foil to believe that someone may have done this to create trouble for Putin. It's true that Putin is a moral-free thug and quite happy to kill people in the worst ways. He quite possibly blew up entire apartment buildings full of Moscow residents to gain support for his was on Chechnya. Yet, that does not mean he committed this murder. In fact, Putin's record of murders would make him the ideal person to frame. It's certainly not a stretch to believe he would kill yet another opponent.

Yet, Putin is not stupid either. Killing this man, with this timing, right in front of the Kremlin, does not really make much sense. It's possible that Putin wants to show what happens to people who oppose him, but people already know that. And this guy was not his biggest threat.

Just food for though. Most likely, we will never know. Maybe some morally outraged (i.e. Jealous) person killed him because he couldn't stand the thought of a 55 year old guy with a 23 year old model.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Let us wait and see what develops. I'm putting all conspiracy theories on the back burner. Including "It's Putin's fault."

According the investigators this was a well planned assassination. Bullets from different factories for instance.

We can rule out moral outrage about the man having a 23-year-old girlfriend. They did not kill her.

That the killers did not kill the girl suggests that what Nemtsov knew or claimed he knew was not the main issue. They would have killed her for good measure.

Why was the girl spared?

The simplest theory I can come up with for the assassination is misplaced patriotism. Headstrong lads probably with military training, who wanted to kill someone they saw as unpatriotic. Being lads, they could not bring themselves to kill a pretty girl. This is a perfectly bland conspiracy theory. I don't insist on it.

Here is one interesting side note. The West has paid scant attention to dissidents in Russia, which is quite different from the old Soviet days when they were published and publicized lavishly. It is likely most people outside Russia and Eastern Europe knew who Nemtsov was until he was assassinated.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

How they deal with the Fifth column in Russia:

http://predatel.net or traitor .net

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/putins-new-war-on-traitors

In Russia, the will of the state is expressed with signals of varying subtlety; the invocation of "national traitors" is among the less oblique examples of the genre. A new Web site called predatel.net - the word means :traitor" - has recently launched, featuring a list of public figures that the site’s anonymous creators deem to have betrayed Russia, whether by criticizing the annexation of Crimea or by supporting Western sanctions. As the site's short manifesto puts it, "We believe that Russian citizens who insult our soldiers and who cast doubt on the need to fight neo-Nazis are traitors, no matter whether they are talented journalists, writers, and directors." The site has a form for users to "suggest a traitor."

Will the Kremlin have this site taken down?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Maybe it was... agents of a Western power that will stop at nothing to disfigure President Vladimir Putin’s image and drive him from power"

That must be it! Seriously though, I doubt that.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Burning,

Yup, a married 55 year-old man with 4 kids spends his Friday night having dinner with a 23 year old model.

Hey lighten up your boy Putin is banging a 30 year old gymnast and he's in his sixties. Heh, where's the principles there bubba? Trading in poor old Luydmilla for a younger model with less miles on the clock. Heh.

commanteer,

It's not tin foil to believe that someone may have done this to create trouble for Putin.

It is.

We've seen his recent actions, they are that of a psychopath, and psychopaths generally have a hard time understanding the consequences of their actions towards others, on in the Russian dictators world of power, he simply doesn't care.

One of the conspiracies is that Nemstov was about to give the West proof of what everyone already knows Putin in doing in eastern Ukraine. With his history of bumping of or gaoling dissenters, and the fact Nemstov's flat was ransacked and his hard drives stolen, it would seem less the domain of aluminium head gear than what the Putinbots are muttering. Although to be fair, sleep depravation through methamphetamine abuse doesn't tend to increase coherence.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Can Putin make killing off rivals any more obvious?

Just reading some other articles about how young Russians were worshiping their idol, wearing T-shirts with his face and with words like khachu putina. Yuck!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

itsonlyrocknroll Boris Nemtsov was a man of conscience, a sound judge of ethical and moral principles. Boris Nemtsov was also a relentless critic of President Vladimir Putin dictatorship and corrupt disfunctional government. Boris Nemtsov style of directly challenging Putins illiberalism, vehemently criticizing the Soviet style propaganda at home and increasingly abroad was seriously showing signs of derailing Putins agenda, government and leadership.

In short - he was politician 15 years BEFORE his death (being prime-minister)

After losing power he became a " opposition leader"

But to criticize government is not enough to achieve popularity in Russia.

May be he had some popularity abroad (I don't know - I live in Russia and I don't care)

But in Russia he was a queer fish from Moscow.

USA have invested billions in Russian pro-Western opposition - without any result.

So - at least they can die...

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Olegek,

USA have invested billions in Russian pro-Western opposition - without any result.

Hardly surprising when Putin's minions snooped on them and hassled them and actually passed laws to outlaw foreign financing for groups attempting to promote democracy. Without checking I think Putin had a lot of them rounded up and arrested at one point. I'm not sure you want to go here.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

It`s nice to see the difference between the extremely well-orchestrated hysteria among Psakibots on this board and lack of interest by people of Russia to the shows, staged on the name of Nemtsov by "liberal opposition" in Russia. As I said, Nemtsov and his activities were much more interesting to the Western media then to Russian voters, who considered him a thieve from Eltsin times and one of figureheads of the US-paid fifth column (very accurate definition, how else to call traitors?).

And once again, for the most brightest: it was in Putin`s interest to keep Nemtsov alive and well, because he symbolized the impotence of pro-western opposition in Russia. Death of Nemsov gave a lot of fodder for the Western media and Psakibots (as we see heer), but was of no use to Putin, who had nothing to fear from this small-time political looser.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

was gunned down shortly before midnight Friday as he walked across a bridge near the Kremlin with a female companion.

like reading a mystery novel plot. There is a main suspec (Puttin) The man was walking with female companion (not his wife) time about midnight on Friday. He was shot but his companion was not harmed. I wonder if this woman has a boyfriend. How someone knew they would be walking there. Who is ambitious to replace him to oppose Putin? Stay tuned to watch Sunday rally.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Asakaze,

It`s nice to see the difference between the extremely well-orchestrated hysteria among Psakibots on this board

You don't understand. Superlib said it yesterday - none of us here have a horse in this race. We're looking on in amazement at both Putin's descent into madness, and the abject denial of you Russian Putin supporters. Just like the other day when you backed away from our discussion citing the feeble "I've work to do". Well, today it's Sunday so no excuses. Also, I'm willing to bet most people post here to skive their jobs. :)

Also, what's a Psakibot BTW? Does it mean those of us NOT getting paid to write positive commentary about the Russian dictator?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Always be wary of trusting the establishment.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Amazing that Putin can get away with this.

Yup, every drive by in Moscow is Putin's fault

Burning Bush -- in your zeal to defend Putin, you missed the point. What I meant by my post was that, if you had bothered reading the article closely, the "Investigative Committee" had come up with many potential scenarios -- but not the most obvious one. Sorry, but in any other "democracy" the investigators would keep all their options open, and not be putting out a bunch of wild theories, within a few hours of the murder, with no eveidence yet to support anything. Putin controls every element of Russian society, and this is a perfect example -- the investigators have already decided not to pursue one potential avenue for investigation -- a possible tie to Putin and the rally scheduled for Sunday -- and are already filling the news with spin.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Hi Olegek, Sergei Mitrokhin felt that the murder of Boris Nemtsov was politically motivated, "I would say this is not only a blow to the opposition, it is a blow to the whole Russian society. It is a blow to Russia. If political views are punished this way, then this country simply has no future,”.....Nemtsov is not the first oppontent/troublemaker that reached Putins political tolarance threshold, Alexander Litvinenko overstretched the mark and was duly dispatched accordingly. Some of preposterous motives put forward as lines of enquiry are irrational farcical absurd, would make Inspector Clouseau blush. Olegek, Boris Nemtsov was more than just a nuisance, like Alexander Litvinenko he was a political agitator, stiring up others in order to upset the status quo.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Madverts,

none of us here have a horse in this race

Sure, sure. The tone of all your comments concerning Russia, Putin, Ukarine etc. demonstates it very vividly. You`re the top singer of the noisy local village band "Abject Putin accusers" )))))

today it's Sunday so no excuses

First, there were very little discussion, but a long list of wild accusations I had no time for. Second (surprise!!!) I really have a job, because, believe me or not, Im not getting paid for comments here. Third - yes, its Sunday!! I have a nice woman by my side, and sorry, she is my priority, I prefer to pay attention to her. Find yourself a girl, mate, and then may be you would understand.

what's a Psakibot

Some of you just need to look at the mirror. It`s like Putinbot, only direction is opposite.

And back to Nemtsov. I saw him in person. Seriously. He visited Japan once, if I`m not mistaken it was spring-1997. He was Russian deputy prime minister or something at that time and head of the official Russian delegation. I was very young at that time and just started my work in international relations. I was present at a couple of press conferences and other events and was surprised how the guy liked to talk and how empty his speeches were. And my collegues told me that even in the corrupt Eltsin government Nemtsov was notorious as the top thief. And then he became "a fighter against corruption"!! No surprise that political clown had no real support in Russia.

Well, my friend, I`m going to get busy now, lol. Catch you later!

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

This is just my guess. I don;t think Putin has anything to do with this murder. Putin lets his opposition speak up for years. My hunch is that this girl arranged So killer avoided to shoot her. Youg girl enticed older man in order to smear Putin. Is she Russina or Ukrinean? This is just my guess.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Asakaze

Sure, sure. The tone of all your comments concerning Russia, Putin, Ukarine etc. demonstates it very vividly. You`re the top singer of the noisy local village band "Abject Putin accusers" )))))

The tone of my comments are clear. It is the facts of the situation that you don’t want to hear the problem. Russia’s “covert” invasion of eastern Ukraine. The fermenting of violence and the ratcheting up of nationalistic fervour to fever pitch. The illegal occupation and annexation of Crimea, complete with Saddam Hussein’s electoral team in charge of the ballots.

First, there were very little discussion, but a long list of wild accusations I had no time for.

Rubbish. I buried your falsehoods regarding Russia providing state of the art weaponry to the so-called rebels, and training from the Russian special forces. And the not so best kept secret that it is really the Russian army minus insignias alongside brainwashed local peasants for cannon feed fighting the conflict.

I have a nice woman by my side, and sorry, she is my priority, I prefer to pay attention to her. Find yourself a girl, mate, and then may be you would understand.

The fact you have to state this makes me disbelieve you. Either that or you’re getting on with the washing up and being nagged to do your other chores. Rinse the bubbles properly now. Heh.

Nemtsov was notorious as the top thief. And then he became "a fighter against corruption"!! No surprise that political clown had no real support in Russia.

I think I speak for most people here when I say I can’t remember hearing of him before he was riddled with bullets. That was an honest statement I presume you are equipped to deal with one. That said, since you’re prepared to post and obviously believe patent falsehoods, and deny what seems painfully obvious to the rest of us, and then run off when challenged with facts - well, I’m not sure I can take anything you say at face value.

That said, I realise you’re no idiot and clearly not the same calibre as our resident Komikal Ali, even if you are just making the same noises only with a saner voice. All I can say is if you can’t back your arguments up, then get back to your chores ;)

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Blast, another typo: "...It is likely most people outside Russia and Eastern Europe knew who Nemtsov was until he was assassinated" should read, "...It is likely most people outside Russia and Eastern Europe did not know who Nemtsov was until he was assassinated.

The MSM is trying to pin this murder on Putin, quoting various "experts" who are digging into Putin's alleged temperament to prove he is behind the assassination. This is pure opportunism and pure hysteria mongering.

I simply cannot believe that Putin would arrange for an assassination at a time like this. There is no practical need to kill Nemtsov, when Putin's popularity as at an all time high in Russia and at an all time low in the West.

Wherever Putin is, he is not a madman. He is shrewd and he is rational like a chess player.

Consider.

Crimea was calculated. He knew he would have support from the Russian majority there when Russia annexed its former territory. He may not have anticipated the intense reaction from the West. Or maybe he thought it worth the gamble to save the Black Sea Fleet. (And remember a dangerous flashpoint was the open rebellion that was brewing there.) He did not mount a full scale (American style) invasion of East Ukraine even though the rebels were saying, "Putin come." What Putin's involvement in East Ukraine now is open to question. But he is not invading the place.

Putin help broker a truce in East Ukraine. He sat down with Poroshenko, looked him in the face and shook his hand (I suppose) even though Poroshenko publicly attacked him. (Poroshenko, true to form is now accusing Putin of murdering Nemtsov who somehow knew more about Putin and Ukraine than anyone.)

Putin has been very careful in dealing with sanctions against Russia. He could have been really nasty and closed on Russian air space to Western airlines (going back to the way in way in Soviet times). He hasn't done that. He could be very nasty to Ukraine about paying bills but he going fairly softly on that (unlike Merkel with Greece).

A political assassination Putin did not need. He could simply put Nemtsov in prison as he has done with other dissidents. (I am not a Putin fan.) Stalin's philosophy of political murder was simple: no man no problem. Here we have no man and very big problem.

I do not by the sacrificial lamb stuff either. Russia's dissidents are essentially non-violent. Killing their own leader would be out of character. Likewise, I cannot see Obama or the CIA deliberately killing a dissident who could be useful to them.

I suggested that the culprits could be misguided patriots. We have lots of examples of that the world over. I am now thinking organized crime could be behind it. Maybe radical Islamists because of Nemtsov's "Charlie Hebdo statements. Maybe an a political opportunist hired some thugs for whatever reason.

The mystery could well solve itself. After an assassination it is common for some group or individual to issue a statement claiming responsibility and issuing a manifesto or some other declaration. This is why assassination has been called "propaganda of the deed."

Meanwhile, what sticks in my mind is why did the killers not kill the girl. I doubt she is mixed up in the killing. I do hope she has the sense to get herself out of Russia, given the raw nerves of the place.

Even if it turns out that Putin was not involved in the assassination the West will still blame him. I'm reading it now: Putin created the atmosphere for the murder to happen. The sanctions against Russia that have made Russian truly hate the US for the firs time in history are, of course, totally blameless.

If the US and NATO truly want to get rid of Putin here is how to do it. Drop the sanctions and walk away from Crimea, East Ukraine and Poroshenko's Ukraine. Let Russia and Ukraine solve their problems and let Poroshenko solve Kiev's problems with the now lost eastern states. Let everything return to normal in Russia. Then people will start to find faults with Putin and the way he has been running Russia.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I suggested that the culprits could be misguided patriots. We have lots of examples of that the world over. I am now thinking organized crime could be behind it. Maybe radical Islamists because of Nemtsov's "Charlie Hebdo statements. Maybe an a political opportunist hired some thugs for whatever reason.

Just as you've made a few suggestions, others suggest it could be Putin, mostly because there's no logical reason to eliminate him at this point. I know you "strongly feel" and yadda yadda yadda but it's a police investigation.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I suggested that the culprits could be misguided patriots.

So were those meth-heads that tried to kill President Obama.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_assassination_plot_in_Denver

Only I have a hard time believing that in this case, that the murderers were nuts. They were obeying orders.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Madverts,

"Abject Putin accusers" strike again! Whoa, 01.13 am! Boy, you have too much free time! Idle hands do devil's work, you know ))))

On the subject. I've just checked the news from Moscow. No surprises, only about 15 - 20 thousands appeared at the Sunday silly show, staged by the Fifth Column (30 thousands, cited at western media, is a speculation). And that supposedly was "All-Russia march against dictator"! An overage sports event gather more people than this zoo. As I said, the pro-western opposition in Russia are marginals, even the ritual killing of the scapegoat Nemtsov failed to reinvigorate it.

On the the rest of your rant.

this makes me disbelieve you

Nah, not of my big concern. I"m not going to lose my sleep about that. I admit, I don't know why it's so hard for you to believe that people have life and prefer to spend time with family and friends, not endlessly reading and writing on this board. Well, Japan is a free country, do whatever you like. I like periodically to read news at JT, have some sparring with Russia-bashers over the conflict at ex-Ukraine (I'm really interested in this conflict), but I'm not going to become drawn into protracted and pointless verbal skirmish with you Psakibots. I use my time more effectively.

I buried your falsehoods

No, you did not. You claimed to do it, but you only unimaginatively repeated the usual Western propaganda mantra. When I read what you wrote I have the feeling that I hear statements of Ms.Psaki of the US State Deaprtment (that's why I call you guys Psakibots).

That's all for now. I go back to my work, you go back to the murky salt mines of the (dis)information warfare where you belong, hope you enjoy it. Catch you later, at another sparring!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Always be wary of trusting the establishment.

Good advice. Except many people have trouble even identifying the establishment. They never seem to pay attention to who is really calling the shots.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I feel sorry for his wife and children, Their famly head was killed midnoght walking with young giirl.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Madverts Hardly surprising when Putin's minions snooped on them and hassled them and actually passed laws to outlaw foreign financing for groups attempting to promote democracy.

Nobody finance abstract political ideas but his only interests only.

itsonlyrocknroll Sergei Mitrokhin felt that the murder of Boris Nemtsov was politically motivated, "I would say this is not only a blow to the opposition, it is a blow to the whole Russian society. It is a blow to Russia. If political views are punished this way, then this country simply has no future,”.

Hi, the main problem of Russian opposition are not Putin and FSB but totally pro-western orientation.

During Soviet Era it was a lot mini - Communist Parties in different western countries with zero political influence

Even in USA and UK they were in those glorious times.... For what purposes ?? For inner Soviet media mainly.

Just for fun !! To have possibility to ask in USSR

Do you know that there are Communists in USA !?!??!!

(Most of US citizens were totally ignorant about this fact )

The same thing for Russian pro-Western opposition.

Only for export.

Commies were not so popular in old good America , "Nemtsov-style " opposition is not respected in Russia

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

It`s nice to see the difference between the extremely well-orchestrated hysteria among Psakibots on this board

"well-orchestrated hysteria".... Really? Amusing.

...and lack of interest by people of Russia to the shows,

And, your lack empathy at the murder of one of YOUR compatriots, regardless of the reason, is telling.

Russian voters, who considered him a thieve from Eltsin times and one of figureheads of the US-paid fifth column (very accurate definition, how else to call traitors?).

There's that term again, "fifth column". Interesting how you guys can dismiss out of hand the notion that Nemtsov was killed because he was a "traitor" but, by using this language, participate in this way in creating the very same atmosphere of violence of dissidence that likely led to this man's death.

http://predatel.net Nemtsov is the 10th figure in the list.

And how did they know that he would cross that bridge at that exact time?

Doesn't require much intelligence to figure that out. Listen carefully... he... was... followed. There. That wasn't so difficult to figure out, was it?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Time for another reset with Russia. That will make things all better.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Wolfpack Time for another reset with Russia. That will make things all better.

Here the main problem - why this conflict between West and Russia ?

What the main reason for it ? Who's guilty ? How we can fix it ?

So - about first reset - from the beginning American veterans of cold war diplomacy talking that it will not work.

REASON - for such agreement you need to recognise spheres of influence of both sides .

One more time - spheres of influence.

For US it meance to recognise Russian sphere

Ukraine for example ... Georgia (not US state of course)

Real funny ....

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

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