Can there be any doubt that Russia has returned to its totalitarian roots?
MOSCOW (AP) — Boris Nemtsov, a charismatic Russian opposition leader and sharp critic of President Vladimir Putin, was gunned down Saturday near the Kremlin, just a day before a planned protest against the government.
The death of Nemtsov, a 55-year-old former deputy prime minister, ignited a fury among opposition figures who assailed the Kremlin for creating an atmosphere of intolerance of any dissent and called the killing an assassination. Putin quickly offered his condolences and called the murder a provocation.
Nemtsov was working on a report presenting evidence that he believed proved Russia’s direct involvement in the separatist rebellion that erupted in eastern Ukraine last year. Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of backing the rebels with troops and sophisticated weapons. Moscow denies the accusations.
The web is great. Led me to significant commentary online from some Soviet observers that this was a false flag operation by Putin opponents, Kiev or even the CIA.
The gist is that this guy was not as popular or influential as the West is reporting. Also wondering why he was with a 23 year old model and why she wasn’t killed also. And the spot he was allegedly gunned down was picked for photographic purposes.
Not saying I buy any of it. But interesting nonetheless. Glad to live in the US.
Soviet style liberalism back in action. Verboten to criticize and oppose the wisdom of an all powerful government.