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Lavrov calls not to link Russian opposition leader's murder with his book on Dobass events

According to the foreign minister, Moscow has never kept a secret that Russian citizens are among members of Donbass militias

© AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev

MOSCOW, April 11. /TASS/. Russian politician Boris Nemtsov’s murder last year should not be linked with his book "Putin. War" on events in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday after talks with his Swiss counterpart Didier Burkhalter.

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"The hints that Nemtsov’s book "Putin. War" is somehow linked to the murder of this Russian politician, with this tragedy, will remain on the conscience of those who draw these parallels," Lavrov said.

Moscow has never kept a secret that Russian citizens are among members of militias, Lavrov added. "We have never concealed that Russian citizens are in eastern Ukraine."

Nemtsov, co-chairman of the RPR-Parnas political party, was shot dead in downtown Moscow on February 27, 2015. Five men, including suspected perpetrator Zaur Dadayev, have been formally charged in the Nemtsov murder case.

The Nemtsov report, which has been completed and prepared for publication by the close associates of the slain politician murdered in February, contains allegations about Russian troops killed in east Ukraine. Russian officials have repeatedly dismissed claims there are Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.

Nemtsov was shot dead in downtown Moscow late on February 27.

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Ukraine crisis Foreign policy Nemtsov murder

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