NDI mourns the tragic death of Boris Nemtsov, the Russian opposition political leader who was shot on Feb. 27 in Moscow, and calls for a thorough and independent investigation of the crime and prosecution of those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.

“Boris Nemtsov was a politician of courage, intellect and determination,” said NDI President Kenneth Wollack. “He was a rare uniter among leaders, who never wavered in his commitment to a more peaceful and democratic Russia.”

In the 1990s, Mr. Nemtsov served as the first governor of Nizhny Novgorod, minister of fuel and energy, and vice premier. He co-founded the Right Cause party and the Union of Right Forces electoral bloc. He was elected to the Russian parliament several times. In 2009 he ran for mayor of Sochi, criticizing plans to hold the 2014 winter Olympics there and exposing corruption in building the Olympic site. Since 2012 he had served as co-chair of the Republican Party of Russia - People’s Freedom Party. NDI is proud to have cooperated with him in advancing democratic values and practices in Russia. He was one of the leaders of a demonstration against the war in Ukraine, which was planned for March 1, two days before his death.

NDI expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the family, friends and supporters of Mr. Nemtsov. The Institute will always honor his legacy.