Putin Warned in 2012 of “Sacrificial Lamb” Assassination Like Nemtsov’s

“Russian Prime Minister and Presidential candidate Vladimir Putin has continued a busy schedule of activity throughout this week’s run-up to Sunday’s vote, including stern statements about the strategic situation in an interview with foreign editors and a warning on Feb. 29 against possible drastic provocations around the election.

“During a Feb. 29 campaign meeting with leaders of the Russian National Front, Putin responded to a question by a professor from the North Caucasus about the presence of provocateurs among those attending mass rallies. He said, ‘Concerning provocations at rallies, and so forth, I have talked about this. I hope nobody will go that far, and things will remain within what is allowed under the Constitution, so that provocations against law enforcement won’t achieve their goal. The people you mentioned really want some kind of clashes; they are pushing for that, and are even prepared to sacrifice somebody and blame the authorities. I know this method and these tactics. For a decade there have been attempts to use them, especially abroad. This is true, and I know about it. They are even looking for a so-called sacrificial lamb, somebody famous. They would off him — excuse me for the expression — and then blame the authorities. People over there are capable of anything. I’m not exaggerating. I hope that those who sincerely want to see improvements in the situation in the country and are exercising their right to criticize and demonstrate, will not fall for this, but everybody should be aware of it.'”