Ruslan Geremeev summoned to court for the murder of Boris Nemtsov

Moscow's District Military Court has granted the defense the right to question Ruslan Geremeev, former deputy commander of the battalion Sever, on the murder of oppositionist leader Boris Nemtsov. The court agreed to call Geremeev's nephew Arthur in for questioning, as well.

"We are asking to subpoena Ruslan Geremeeva. We believe it is extremely necessary ... Please find him and ensure his attendance in court," said Olga Mikhailova, a lawyer representing the injured party.

Geremeev, she recalled, served with Zaur Dadaev, who investigators believe to be the direct perpetrator of the murder. Prosecutor Maria Semenenko supported the victim's petition. Several other defense lawyers involved in the case also supported the request.

The case of the murder of Nemtsov began at the Moscow District Military Court in early October. There are five defendants in the case, including Zaur Dadaev, a former member of the Chechen battalion Sever and allegedly the main perpetrator of the crime. All the accused have pleaded not guilty.

Investigators believe that the murder was ordered by Ruslan Muhudinov. There is a warrant out for his arrest. The investigation against him and other unidentified suspects continues.

Nemtsov family representatives have repeatedly claimed that the murder was ordered by former Sever battalion officer Ruslan Geremeev.

Boris Nemtsov was one of the most prominent Russian politicians of the 1990s and 2000s. After serving as governor of the Nizhniy Novgorod region from 1991-1997, he was at one time vetted as President Boris Yeltsin’s potential successor. Nemtsov was also a long-time leader of the liberal Soyus Pravykh Sil (Union of Right Forces).

In the 2000s, Nemtsov became an opposition leader and an outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin. He authored several works on corruption in Russia and the enrichment of Putin’s inner circle.

Nemtsov was shot and killed within several yards of the Kremlin.