Russians stand in line to mourn by coffin of slain Nemtsov

People stand in line to attend a memorial service before the funeral of Russian leading opposition figure Boris Nemtsov, as vehicles drive by, in Moscow, March 3, 2015. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Thousands of Russians, many carrying red carnations, on Tuesday filed past the coffin of Boris Nemtsov, the Kremlin critic whose killing last week, friends say, showed the hazards of speaking out against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Aides to Putin deny any involvement in killing Nemtsov, who was shot in the back four times on Friday within sight of the Kremlin walls. Nemtsov's friends say he was the victim of an atmosphere of hatred whipped up against anyone who opposes the president.