Lavrov Critisizes 'Provocative' Attempts to Politicize Nemtsov's Murder

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said those responsible for the murder of Russian politician would be held accountable.

GENEVA (Sputnik) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has harshly critisized attempts to politicize the murder of politician Boris Nemtsov.

"It is absolutely blasphemous to use such tragedies as the murder of Boris Nemtsov to attempt to substitute investigative and judicial bodies, setting out openly politicized, provocative and unfounded leads," the Russian top diplomat said.

The murder of politician Boris Nemtsov in Moscow will be investigated in line with the laws, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.

“This filthy crime will be investigated within the strictest line of the law so that those responsible are held accountable,” Lavrov said.

Nemtsov was killed in Moscow at 11:40 p.m. on Friday (20:40 GMT), after four shots were fired in his back while he was walking with a female companion cross the Zamoskvoretsky bridge, according to the Russian Interior Ministry.

On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Investigative Committee, the Interior Ministry and the Federal Security Service to create a joint investigative team.

“President Putin immediately gave all of the necessary instructions and they have been taken under special control,” Lavrov said.

On March 1, thousands of people took to the streets of Moscow to commemorate the slain politician. According to Moscow police, about 21,000 people gathered for the march.

Nemtsov held a number of high-ranking posts in Russia in the 1990s, including that of the deputy prime minister under former President Boris Yeltsin. In the following years, Nemtsov has been actively involved in business. Investigators are currently considering several theories regarding Nemtsov's murder, including a possible contract killing, links to the events in Ukraine and business motives.