Former Russian deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov, a leading opposition figure, was shot dead in Moscow, the BBC reports.

“An unidentified attacker shot Mr Nemtsov four times in central Moscow.”

“He had earned a reputation as an economic reformer while governor of one of Russia’s biggest cities, Nizhny Novgorod. Falling out of favour with Yeltsin’s successor, Vladimir Putin, Mr Nemtsov became an outspoken opposition politician.”