Murder in the Heart of Moscow Has Hallmarks of Professional Hit

People light candles in memory of Boris Nemtsov, seen behind, at the monument of political prisoners 'Solovetsky Stone' in central St.Petersburg, Russia.

Photographer: Dmitry Lovetsky via AP Photo
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

The Friday night killing of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov just outside the Kremlin, in one of the most closely watched areas of Russia, bears all the signs of having been planned and carried out by professionals.

That’s the assessment of former intelligence officials, analysts and activists familiar with the case. The murder turned a planned rally against President Vladimir Putin into a vigil Sunday to mourn Nemtsov, 55, who Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said was writing a report on Russia’s involvement in the neighboring country’s conflict.