'Callous' Murder Of Boris Nemtsov Condemned

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David Cameron has condemned the killing of Russia's former deputy prime minister Boris Nemstov as "despicable" and "callous".

The Prime Minister added the Russian people had been deprived of a champion of their rights and that Mr Nemtsov was greatly admired in Britain, not least by Margaret Thatcher.

"I am shocked and sickened by the callous murder of Boris Nemtsov as he walked in the heart Moscow last night," he said.

"This despicable act must be fully, rapidly and transparently investigated, and those responsible brought to justice."

Thousands of Russians have been laying flowers and candles in tribute to the 55-year-old at scene of the killing near the Kremlin walls in Moscow.

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Gallery: Tributes Left At Scene Of Boris Nemtsov Murder

Supporters of Boris Nemtsov have left flowers at the scene of his murder near St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow

The Russian opposition politician, a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, was shot four times in the back within sight of the Kremlin

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Nemtsov had received death threats, but it's claimed no steps were taken by police to offer him protection

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Mr Putin has condemned the death and said he believes it could be a contract killing

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Mr Nemtsov, who was a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin, died after being shot four times by an unidentified attacker in a passing car during the early hours of Saturday.

According to colleagues, he was working on a report which apparently included concrete evidence that Russia was directly involved in the separatist movement which erupted in Ukraine last year.

At the time of the attack, Mr Nemtsov was walking along a bridge with a Ukrainian woman, who was not injured.

She is now being questioned by police.

Investigators say the killing was the work of one or more gunmen who shot at Mr Nemtsov seven or eight times.

The politician had received death threats on social media, but no steps were taken by the police to offer him protection, according to his lawyer, Vadim Prokhorov.

Russia's investigative committee are pursuing several lines of enquiry, including an Islamist extremist attack and links to the Ukraine crisis.

A senior opposition politician, Mr Nemtsov was an outspoken detractor of Mr Putin's administration - and had planned to attend an "anti-crisis march" through the capital on Sunday.

The economist had said in an interview with Russian media: "Every time I called (my mother), she laments: 'When are you going to stop scolding Putin? He will kill you!'"

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Gallery: Profile: Who Was Boris Nemtsov?

Rose to prominence under Boris Yeltsin in the 1990s and grew into a fierce critic of Vladimir Putin. He was also an environmentalist, a nuclear scientist and father of four

In 1997 he was made deputy prime minister and put in charge of economic reform. The economic crisis of 1998 cost him his job in parliament and any presidential hopes he had

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Mr Putin has condemned the death, which he said looked like a "contract killing" - adding that he will personally oversee the investigation into the shooting.

In a message to Mr Nemtsov's mother, he said: "Everything will be done so that the organisers and perpetrators of a vile and cynical murder get the punishment they deserve."

Meanwhile, the White House has demanded that the investigation is "prompt, impartial and transparent".

President Obama, who met Mr Nemtsov in 2009, described him as a "tireless advocate" for the rights of Russian citizens, and cited his work in fighting corruption.

Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev tweeted: "Boris Nemtsov was an outstanding individual and a man of principle. This is how we will remember him."

Garry Kasparov, chairman of the Human Rights Foundation, tweeted: "Devastated to hear of the brutal murder of my long-time opposition colleague Boris Nemtsov. Shot four times, once for each child he leaves."

The political activist added: "Politkovskaya was gunned down. MH17 was shot out of the sky. Now Boris is dead.

"As always, Kremlin will blame opposition, or CIA, whatever."

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Tampolan Telak