28 March 2024, Thursday, 15:23
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Boris Nemtsov repeated fate of Belarusian opposition leaders

Boris Nemtsov repeated fate of Belarusian opposition leaders

Belarusians understand the situation in the Russian society, which has become tense, because they have been living in it for 20 years.

It is not interesting whether the Investigative Committee will find killers of Boris Nemtsov or not. Of course, they must be brought to justice, but what worries me more as a former prosecution investigator is that whether investigators will be able to find the reasons for the crime. Who is guilty is the Russian authorities as a whole. They have cultivated political hatred in among Russians in the past year. We hear that some people are ready to attack those whose views differ from official ones. State-run media, leaders of pro-governmental parties and NGOs began a real war against the people who think and say the truth.

The murder of Boris Nemtsov was committed not only by the perpetrator of the contract killing but also by all Russians who created conditions for the start of a campaign to eliminate Russian intellectuals, opposition politicians and active people who protect their dignity in the face of rude and cynical vertical power.

The death of Boris Nemtsov is a signal for Russians. Many have forgotten the turbulent 1990s and regard those times as history. We again see that one group of people considers itself to be elite that has the right to subdue others. Those who don't support them are their enemies, they think.

Belarusians understand the situation in the Russian society, which has become tense, because they have been living in it for 20 years. Boris Nemtsov repeated the fate of our politicians of the late 1990s, when dissidents got abducted in broad daylight. It is still unknown what happened to former interior minister Yury Zakharanka, vice speaker of the Supreme Council Viktar Hanchar, businessman Anatol Krasouski and journalist Dzmitry Zavadski.

Russians should learn how to defend themselves. And they should do it quickly. Sanctions, restrictions, Russia's lowering status as the country incapable of changes can lead to a long winter. Boris Nemtsov and his colleagues foresaw it when they wanted to carry out a peaceful anti-crisis and antiwar rally titled Spring. But his new spring was stopped by a bullet.

More than 50,000 came for a mourning march in Moscow on March 1. People came to fulfil their duty and pay tribute to brave man and hero of our time Boris Nemtsov.

More and more people in Russia understand they will face a terrible end if they don't overcome their fear and inactivity and don't change their mentality. Many came with posters reading “I am not afraid”. Perhaps, these simple words will save Russia again, who knows. Perhaps, they will lead to freedom and prosperity in Belarus.

Rest in peace, Boris Nemtsov.

Aleh Vouchak, human rights defender and former investigator, specially for charter97.org

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