Boris Nemtsov's Girlfriend: 'I Saw No One'

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The girlfriend of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov who was with him when he was gunned down in Moscow has been allowed to return home to Ukraine.

Anna Duritskaya had earlier complained she was being held against her will by investigators following the murder.

The 23-year-old said in an interview she had not seen the killer as the shots were fired behind her and had little recollection of the attack as the couple walked across a bridge in Moscow after having dinner in Red Square.

She said she had given all the information she could to the authorities but they were preventing her from leaving Russia, citing concerns for her security.

But Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesman later announced she had left Russia and was travelling to Kiev.

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Gallery: Profile: Who Was Boris Nemtsov?

Rose to prominence under Boris Yeltsin in the 1990s and grew into a fierce critic of Vladimir Putin. He was also an environmentalist, a nuclear scientist and father of four

In 1997 he was made deputy prime minister and put in charge of economic reform. The economic crisis of 1998 cost him his job in parliament and any presidential hopes he had

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In 1999 he co-founded the Union of Right Forces (SPS) which began promisingly, but later lost supporters when it moved from conditional support to open opposition. In 2003 the party failed to reach the 5% threshold needed to enter parliament. Nemtsov resigned as SPS leader

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Founded several opposition movements after leaving the Russian parliament in 2003 and served as the co-chair of the opposition Republican Party of Russia since 2012

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Played a major part in the large opposition marches in Moscow after Russia's controversial 2011 elections. He was arrested for taking part in the protests and detained in 2011 for 15 days

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Earlier in a Skype interview with Russian news channel Dozhd, Ms Duritskaya claimed she had been under constant police guard since the shooting.

She said: "I have every right to leave the territory of the Russian Federation. I am not a suspect.

"I am a witness who gave full testimony and did everything possible to assist the investigation.

"They are physically not allowing me to go anywhere without them.

"They have explained to me that this is for security reasons."

Mr Nemtsov is due to be buried in Moscow on Tuesday.

The former deputy prime minister was an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin and his killing has deepened a divide in Russia between liberals and Putin supporters.

Tens of thousands of protesters marched through the streets of central Moscow on Sunday to honour his legacy. Opposition leaders said the protest was also aimed at stopping a "campaign of hate" directed at those who question Mr Putin's rule.

Many of the demonstrators carried portraits Mr Nemtsov, as well as placards declaring "I am not afraid" and "He died for Russia's future".

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