Two suspects held over murder of Kremlin critic Nemtsov

MOSCOW, March 7

Two suspects have been detained over the killing of Boris Nemtsov, Russia's most senior security official said, a week after he was shot dead near the Kremlin in the most high-profile killing of an opposition figure in years.

Alexander Bortnikov, the head of the Federal Security Service, told state television station Channel One on Saturday that the suspects were named Anzor Gubashev and Zaur Dadayev.

Bortnikov said President Vladimir Putin had been informed of the detentions and that the investigation was ongoing.

The state-run RIA news agency quoted Bortnikov as saying the two were from the Caucasus, a violent and impoverished region on Russia's southern flank.

Interfax news agency quoted a source familiar with the situation say saying the two may be brought before a court to be formally arrested on Sunday. No details were released on what role the two men were suspected of having in the killing.

Nemtsov, was a liberal who had served as deputy prime minister in the 1990s but became a staunch critic of Putin, was shot late on February 27 within sight of the Kremlin walls as he walked home from a cafe.

It was the most high-profile killing of an opposition figure in President Vladimir Putin's 15-year rule. Some of Nemtsov's friends said the Kremlin was to blame.

Russian officials have denied any involvement. Putin has called the killing a shameful tragedy and says he will do everything possible to ensure the perpetrators are found and punished. — Reuters