Kerry: Putin critic’s death not a ‘common affair’

Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday called for a “credible, transparent” investigation into the death of Boris Nemtsov, a vocal opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was shot in Moscow on Friday.

{mosads}“Our hearts go out to the Russian people,” Kerry told ABC’s Martha Raddatz on “This Week.” “We are enormously saddened to hear of his murder, and we hope the authorities will join the world in producing the credible, transparent investigation necessary to find out who did — who was behind this and who did it.”

Nemtsov, 55, was a former Russian deputy prime minister. The Russian Interior Ministry reported that four bullets struck Nemtsov in his back on Friday, killing him.

“Four men jumping out of a car, I think it was four, in the middle of Moscow in daylight is — is not sort of a common affair,” Kerry said.

The secretary’s remarks echo President Obama’s, who called the slaying a “vicious killing.” The incident has also inspired mourning in Congress, with both sides of the aisle condemning Nemtsov’s slaying.

Nemtsov helped lead major protests against Putin’s rule in 2011. He was sentenced to 15 days in prison for his involvement in the demonstrations.

His death comes amid tensions between Russia and its neighbor, Ukraine.