Two Suspects Held Over Boris Nemtsov Shooting

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Two suspects have been detained over the murder of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.

Russian state TV Rossiya-24 quoted the head of Russia's Federal Security Service, Alexander Bortnikov, as saying President Vladimir Putin has been informed of the detention.

"I would like to inform you that the work that has been conducted has resulted in two suspects in this crime being detained today. They are a Gubashev, Anzor and a Dadayev, Zaur," he said in a video posted on state TV Channel One's website.

No further details were provided about the suspects, but RIA Novosti news agency quoted Mr Bortnikov as saying that both were from the Caucasus.

No charges were immediately announced.

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Gallery: Boris Nemtsov: Funeral Of Murdered Putin Opponent Held In Moscow

People stand in line at a memorial service before the funeral of leading Russian opposition figure Boris Nemtsov in Moscow

Several hundred Russians, many carrying red carnations, queued to pay their respects. Mr Nemtsov was shot dead by an unknown gunman last week as he walked with his girlfriend

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The apparent assassination has shocked Russia. President Putin has blamed the killing on enemies trying to discredit the Kremlin

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Continue through for more pictures of the memorial service and funeral

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Mr Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister and long-time critic of Mr Putin, was shot dead near the Kremlin in Moscow on 27 February.

It is not clear if either of the suspects was believed to have fired the shots that killed the politician, who was reportedly working on a report about Russian military involvement in the eastern Ukraine conflict at the time of his death.

Leading Russian opposition figures have suggested the murder was politically motivated, although authorities deny any involvement, saying it could have been a provocation aimed at tarnishing Mr Putin's image.

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Gallery: Thousands in Moscow to honour opposition politician

Russia's opposition supporters carry portraits of Boris Nemtsov through Moscow with the words "He fought for a free Russia," "He died for the future of Russia"

Riot police stand guard during the march in memory of Nemtsov

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Russia's top investigative body said it was investigating several possible motives and was looking into possible connections to Islamic extremism and Mr Nemtsov's personal life.

The chief witness to the killing was Mr Nemtsov's Ukrainian girlfriend, Anna Duritskaya, who has now left Russia.

His death sparked protests through the streets of Moscow, with people carrying placards declaring "I am not afraid" and "He died for Russia's future".

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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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On Tuesday, hundreds of mourners queued to see the 55-year-old's body lying in state in central Moscow ahead of a burial at the Troekurovskoye cemetery on the outskirts of the city.

Former British prime minister Sir John Major was among the European politicians and diplomats who attended the funeral.

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Terjun Bebas