Russian State Duma deputies turned down a suggestion to hold a minute's silence in remembrance of slain opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was shot dead in central Moscow on Feb. 28 last year, the Interfax news agency reported Friday.
The suggestion to honor his memory was made by Duma Deputy Dmitry Gudkov during the Duma's Friday session.
"This is not a question of politics, this is a question of ethics and a humane attitude toward the person who worked in the State Duma as a faction leader and was the first deputy prime minister," Gudkov said, noting that thousands of people will gather on Saturday in Moscow at a rally honoring Nemtsov.
Liberal Democratic Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky said that a minute of silence could be held only if "the president announces a national day of mourning," adding that he would rather revere the memory of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, who "made a much more significant contribution to Russia's history than Boris Nemtsov, but we've never commemorated any anniversary of his death."
Such decisions have to be made by the Duma's Council, Zhirinovsky added, Interfax reported.