Malta Linked to Arrest in Putin Critic’s Murder

In the quiet Maltese town of Żurrieq, nestled between the ancient church of St. Catherine and the bustling market, elderly Maria Bonnici was shocked to hear the news. “I still remember when he was here,” she said, referring to the man now at the centre of an international storm – Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov. “He was just a young man then, full of hope and dreams.” Little did she know, her memories would be linked to a suspect arrested thousands of miles away in Poland.

From Żurrieq to Warsaw: The Nemtsov Connection

Boris Nemtsov, a charismatic critic of Vladimir Putin, was gunned down in Moscow in 2015. His murder around the world, but the truth behind it remained elusive. Until now. Polish authorities have arrested a suspect, a Russian national named Zaur Dadayev, who they believe played a key role in the assassination. But how does this relate to Malta?

In the 1990s, Nemtsov was a regular visitor to the Mediterranean island. He would often stay at the historic Phoenicia Hotel in Floriana, just a stone’s throw from the Grandmaster’s Palace. It was here that he would meet with local politicians and discuss the future of Russia. “He was always full of ideas,” recalled Joseph Muscat, then a young politician and now Malta’s Prime Minister. “We would spend hours talking about how to make Russia a better place.”

Dadayev’s Maltese Connection

Zaur Dadayev, the arrested suspect, also has a connection to Malta. In 2014, he was spotted in the island’s capital, Valletta. According to eyewitnesses, he was seen near the Parliament building, a short distance from the Phoenicia Hotel where Nemtsov used to stay. “I remember him because he stood out,” said a local shopkeeper who wished to remain anonymous. “He was always on his phone, looking very serious.”

Dadayev’s presence in Malta raises questions about why he was there and who he was meeting. Was he following Nemtsov’s footsteps, or was he there for another reason? These are questions that Maltese authorities are now eager to answer.

Malta’s Role in the Investigation

Malta’s Minister for Home Affairs, Michael Farrugia, has confirmed that Maltese police are working closely with their Polish counterparts. “We are providing whatever assistance we can,” he said. “If there is a connection to Malta, we will find it.” This includes reviewing CCTV footage from Valletta and checking immigration records to see if Dadayev entered the country under a different name.

Meanwhile, back in Żurrieq, Maria Bonnici hopes that justice will finally be served. “Boris was a good man,” she said. “He deserves to rest in peace, knowing that those who took his life are behind bars.”