Chechen leader ready to give evidence in Nemtsov murder case, declares loyalty to Putin

MOSCOW – Chechnya's leader says he is ready to give evidence in the investigation into the murder of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.

The main suspect in the Feb. 27 killing is an officer in Ramzan Kadyrov's security force, and Nemtsov's children have asked for Kadyrov to be questioned.

Speaking Thursday on the radio, Kadyrov said he was ready to give evidence. He also said his officer Zaur Dadaev should be sent to prison if found guilty of shooting Nemtsov.

After Dadaev's arrest, Kadyrov described him as a brave soldier.

In the radio interview, he also reaffirmed his loyalty to President Vladimir Putin, repeating his willingness to step down. Kadyrov said: "To be the head of the republic is a lot of responsibility before the Almighty, before the people, before the president."