Myechyslaw Hryb: Boris Nemtsov reminded me of Viktar Hanchar

Russia lost a great politician and citizen.

Myechyslaw Hryb, the former Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Belarus, says he is very concerned about the death of Russian politician Boris Nemtsov, killed by unknown on February 27 in Moscow. One of Russian opposition leaders was buried on March 3 at the Troyekurovskoye Cemetery in Moscow, Radio Racyja reports.

Myechyslaw Hryb personally knew Boris Nemtsov. He got acquainted with him 20 years ago in 1995 and was impressed by a young, energetic and kind person:

- At that time he was no longer in power, but he made a very interesting impression on me. We were not friends because of different age. But I always liked his interest in protection of human rights, views on politics, his hospitability and courage. I also met with him in Minsk when he was there. He was a good person. He reminds me to some extent of late Viktar Hanchar.

Hryb believes Russia has lost a great politician and citizen. Unfortunately, he was removed from power and lost the ability to influence real policy.

"He could do nothing because now Russia has become like modern Belarus. Unfortunately, it did not continue its development in a democratic direction, but took the authoritarian, almost dictatorial regime", Hryb said.