Ruslan Geremeev, witness in Nemtsov's murder case, leaves Russia

Ruslan Geremeev, a former officer of the Chechen battalion "Sever" (North) and the key witness in Boris Nemtsov's murder case, has left Russia, the "Rosbalt" reports citing a law enforcement source. Geremeev could go to Dubai, the RBC writes with reference to Ilya Yashin, a member of the "Solidarity" Movement.

Boris Nemtsov was shot and killed in Moscow on February 27. Five persons, including Zaur Dadaev, Anzor and Shagid Gubashev, Khamzat Bakhaev and Tamerlan Eskerkhanov, were detained on suspicion of involvement in the murder and put under arrest.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 19, the "Kommersant" wrote, referring to its sources, that investigators, engaged in Nemtsov's murder case, instructed operative agents to find Ruslan Geremeev for questioning as a witness. On March 27, the RBC reported that Ruslan Geremeev was questioned in Chechnya. On the same day, sources of the "Caucasian Knot" reported that the access to the Chechen village of Djalka, where Geremeev's relatives live, was guarded by power agents.

However, on April 7, the "Rosbalt" wrote, referring to its own law enforcement source, that investigators failed to interrogate Ruslan Geremeev in Chechnya – officially, his whereabouts are unknown.

"He is no longer in Djalka; and there's no information that Geremeev moved to another location in Chechnya. Everything indicates that he went abroad," said a law enforcement source as quoted by the "Rosbalt" in its article published on April 13.

On April 13, the RBC also wrote, referring to Ilya Yashin, a member of the "Solidarity" Movement, that Ruslan Geremeev could leave Russia.

"According to our information, he is now in Dubai (UAE). If this is confirmed, we will seek putting Geremeev on the international wanted list," the opposition activist has reported.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.