Public memorial service for slain Russian opposition leader

Moscow, March 3 (IANS/TASS) A public memorial service was held on Tuesday for slain Russian politician and former deputy prime minister Boris Nemtsov who was shot dead in central Moscow last week.

Nemtsov, who was the co-chair of the RPR-Parnas party, was shot dead on Friday-Saturday night while he was walking near the Kremlin with his 23-year-old Ukrainian model-girlfriend Anna Duritskaya.

The service took place at Moscow's Sakharov Centre ahead of the funeral later in the day.

Nemtsov's family, including his mother and children, attended the service and stood next to the casket.

A wreath from the Russian president was delivered to Sakharov Centre.

Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich was also there to pay his last respects.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's spokesperson Natalia Timakova said the government was represented by Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Prikhodko.

Medvedev expressed deep condolences to Nemtsov's next of kin, and also sent a mourning wreath.

US Ambassador to Russia John Tefft also attended the service.

Nemtsov will be buried at Moscow's Troyekurovskoye cemetery.

--IANS/TASS

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