Convicted murderer of Putin critic Boris Nemtsov joins war against Ukraine

Temirlan Eskerkhanov, convicted in the Boris Nemtsov murder case, has been released from prison after signing a contract with Russia's Defence Ministry to join the war against Ukraine. Nemtsov, murdered in 2015, was a Russian opposition leader and former deputy prime minister known for his outspoken criticism of Russian ruler Vladimir Putin's government.

Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency TASS

Quote: "Eskerkhanov signed a contract with the Defence Ministry in March 2024, was subsequently pardoned, and released from prison.

He was assigned to one of the assault units and is now performing combat missions in the 'SVO' zone ['SVO' or special military operation is a term used by Russian propaganda to describe the war against Ukraine – ed.].

Details: TASS reports that the contract with the former convict is valid for a duration of one year.

None of the other accomplices in the Nemtsov murder currently serving prison sentences have shown any interest in signing the contract.

For reference:

• Nemtsov was murdered in the centre of Moscow on 27 February 2015. Five suspects were later detained, and another one took his own life while being detained.
• Media reports indicate that the masterminds behind the murder have not yet been identified. Nemtsov's associates and relatives have criticised the investigation, with many suspecting that the Chechen or Russian leadership may have been involved.

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