Boris Nemtsov murder: Thousands set to march in Moscow

CROWDS of people are gathering in central Moscow to honour opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, who was shot dead on Friday.

He was due to lead an opposition march on Sunday but his supporters will now be marching to mourn his death.

President Vladimir Putin condemned Mr Nemtsov’s murder as “vile and cynical” and vowed to find the killers.

Mr Nemtsov’s allies call it a political killing linked to his opposition to Mr Putin and the Ukraine conflict.

Opposition supporters are meeting at a point not far from the Kremlin, from where they will march to the spot on Great Moskvoretsky Bridge where Mr Nemtsov was killed.

Moscow city authorities had previously approved a march for up to 50,000 people but organisers said more people might now attend following the murder.

Many people are carrying the national flag and flowers to lay at the scene of the killing, which is always piled high with tributes.

Others are holding placards with slogans such as “He died for the future of Russia” and “They were afraid of you, Boris”.

People have been paying their respects at the site since early on Saturday.

One of those attending on Saturday, Alexander Badiyev, said: “This was ordered by Putin, without a shadow of a doubt. They have shown us what the fate will be of all those who are against them.”

Former Yabloko party leader Grigory Yavlinsky said: “The political responsibility for this murder lies with the authorities and personally President Putin.”