Putin says opposition politician Boris Nemtsov's murder is a 'disgrace' for Russia

A woman lays flowers at the grave of Boris Nemtsov after a burial ceremony at Troekurovskoye cemetery in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 3, 2015. One by one, thousands of mourners and dignitaries filed past the white-lined coffin of slain Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov on Tuesday, many offering flowers as they paid their last respects to one of the most prominent figures of Russia's beleaguered opposition. (AP Photo/Denis Tyrin) (The Associated Press)

People stand at the coffin of Boris Nemtsov during a burial ceremony at Troekurovskoye cemetery in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, March 3, 2015. One by one, thousands of mourners and dignitaries filed past the white-lined coffin of slain Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov on Tuesday, many offering flowers as they paid their last respects to one of the most prominent figures of Russia's beleaguered opposition. (AP Photo/Denis Tyrin) (The Associated Press)

MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the killing of a key opposition figure is a "disgrace" to Russia.

In televised remarks to Interior Ministry employees on Wednesday, Putin condemned the death of Nemtsov, who was shot while walking near the Kremlin late Friday. While the Kremlin said Saturday that Putin had sent his condolences to Nemtsov's mother, it was Putin's first public remark on the subject.

"The most serious attention must be paid to high-profile crimes, including those with a political motive," he said. "We must finally rid Russia of the disgrace and tragedy of the kinds of things we recently saw and experienced. I mean the audacious murder of Boris Nemtsov in the very center of the capital."

No suspects have been detained yet in Nemtsov's killing.